Swallowed by a Whale and Rescued

A startling, unflattering revelation. I am just like Jonah...joyful and grateful when God sends little blessings. Sorrowful, angry, even temper-tantruming when He sends struggles.

“Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.””

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭4:6-9‬ ‭

I read this passage this morning with the sorrowful recognition that despite all the miracles of God Jonah (and I) have seen, we still struggle with self-absorption and lack of trust. Jonah was saved from drowning at sea by being swallowed by a great fish. He was in the belly of the fish, alive for three days. The fish then vomited him safely onto dry land.

Who could complain to God after that kind of spectacular rescue???

Me.

No...I have never been swallowed by a whale, but I have faced other drowning moments in life. I don’t always love the method by which God rescues me, but He always has. I don’t like the unavoidable fact that He even brings the struggles sometimes as He did when he provided a worm and scorching wind and blazing sun to destroy Jonah’s comfort in the shade of the plant. But there is a purpose in ALL of the trials or the God who has a perfect plan would not bring them.

I know this because His Word shows how portions of His often inexplicable ways unfolded and led to triumph, victory, and glory to God. To know who God is, look at who He has been. To know what God can do, look at what He has done. To know that God can be trusted, remember His trust-worthiness in the past.

Jonah had the same prideful and unwilling heart as I have. Jonah kicked and screamed over God’s plan, and then had a hissy fit when it wasn’t what Jonah wanted. Jonah sulked and obeyed ultimately, but it was a grudging obedience at best.

Yet God used Him.

Sanctification is a process. God can use me in the midst of that messy, sporadic, wandering path. I don’t want to be like Jonah. I’d rather be perfect. Nonetheless, I am hopeful this morning that despite the fact that I am NOT, God IS. That is the only hope any of us have.