Tag Archives: Jonah

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Making Tracks

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Have you even been stopped cold in your tracks with a timely-asked question? Jonah, a believer in the Old Testament, was given a specific assignment by God. It was a difficult task and he could not be successful without divine help. At his core, Jonah didn’t like how God was going about things. One day in frustration he sat down under a tree – overcome, irritated and annoyed.

And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”

Jonah 4:4

Many times in Scripture, as in today’s verse, one’s spiritual condition is bluntly exposed with a question. In Genesis God asks Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” In Matthew Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say I am?” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asks Judas, “Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Today, if you find your soul vexed by what seems to be happening on the world stage or in your own life, ask yourself this question: “How dedicated am I to being part of God’s providential plan, done in His way and in His timing?” Pray many will join you in humbly dedicating themselves to staying on track and seeing that God’s purposes are being accomplished in America.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 26:2-8

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Whale of a Tale

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“I wonder how it felt to wake up in the belly of a whale,” go the lyrics of an old Bill and Gloria Gaither song about Jonah, a popular children’s Bible story and relatable character.

What I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!

Jonah 2:9

Jonah walked with the Lord, but when the Creator asked Jonah to go to Nineveh, the prophet declined. He knew the Ninevites would repent and ask God for mercy, but Jonah didn’t think they deserved it. From the belly of a great fish who swallowed him, the pouting prophet changed his mind and agreed to bring the Lord’s message wherever God sent him.

Ever have the same attitude about the lost in America thinking they don’t deserve grace? But grace is just that – a gift you don’t deserve. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Thank God for the lessons in Jonah’s story, and ask Him to open your heart to those who aren’t aware of Christ’s love. Pray especially for any of your nation’s leaders who don’t know Him.

Recommended Reading: Jonah 2:1-10

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Descent to Deliverance

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God had a specific mission for Jonah. The Lord directed him to Nineveh to preach to the Assyrians. However, Jonah refused and ran in the opposite direction. The Hebrew text says Jonah went “down” to Joppa, “down” into the hold of the ship, and eventually was tossed “down” into the sea where he was swallowed by a giant fish. This paints a picture of spiritual descent that resulted from his disobedience and rebellion.

I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

Jonah 2:2

In today’s verse, Sheol represented a grave and the fish’s stomach was metaphorically like a tomb. Yet Jonah eventually had a change of heart and thanked the Lord for saving him from drowning in such a miraculous way. God heard Jonah’s prayer from inside the fish and delivered him to continue his mission.

Always know that you can trust your Heavenly Father with your past, present and future. Even when circumstances appear stormy, remember that He is with you, hears your prayers, and will help you fulfill His purposes as you give your humble obedience. Pray also that America’s leaders who are running from God would turn their hearts toward His love, mercy and grace.

Recommended Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Once Upon A Time

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Our Daily Bread

Matthew 24:32-44

The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. —Jonah 1:17

Some people say that the Bible is just a collection of fairy tales. A boy slaying a giant. A man swallowed by a big fish. Noah’s boat-building experience. Even some religious people think that these events are just nice stories with a good moral.

Jesus Himself, however, spoke of Jonah and the giant fish, and Noah and the flood, as actual events: “As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:37-39). His return will happen when we’re not expecting it.

Jesus compared Jonah’s 3 days inside the big fish to the 3 days He would experience in the grave before His resurrection (Matt. 12:40). And Peter talked about Noah and the flood when he equated it to a future day when Jesus comes back (2 Peter 2:4-9).

God gave us His Word; it’s a book that is filled with truth—not fairy tales. And one day, we will live happily ever after with Him when Jesus comes again and receives His children to Himself. —Cindy Hess Kasper

We’re waiting for You, Lord, to come

And take us home to be with You;

Your promise to return for us

Gives hope because we know it’s true. —Sper

We have reason for optimism if we’re looking for Christ’s return.

Bible in a year: 1 Chronicles 10-12; John 6:45-71

Insight

In His teaching, Christ often used examples from nature, as He did here with the fig tree (Matt. 24:32). He communicated to His listeners with word-pictures that would be familiar to them. They were part of an agricultural society that mostly lived outdoors, so nature became the perfect vehicle for His presentation of spiritual truths.