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Thursday's Thoughts- Jonah Chapter Two

Jonah Chapter Two

At the end of the last chapter, Jonah had just been swallowed by the great fish. We will pick up in chapter two in the belly of the fish. 
1-10. By this point Jonah has accepted what we already know to be true- you can't run from God. Being swallowed by a large fish after being thrown into a stormy sea has put his life into perspective. (It would mine too.) Jonah preceded to do what all of us should do in time of need, he prayed. His prayer can be applied to our downfalls as well because, even though he had run from God and there seemed to be no hope, he still cried out to his Savior. Jonah realized that God would hear his prayer and, being the just God that He is, would forgive him. He repented of his sin and promised to do as God had commanded and go to Nineveh. Merciful God then commanded the fish to spit him out on dry land. 
The end of the chapter is proof of just how forgiving God is. Jonah directly disobeyed Him, but when he was willing to repent and ask God to save him, God didn't say, "Are you kidding? You don't obey me so why should I spare your life and have to deal with you for even longer?" Instead he said, "I know you sinned but I love you and you are my child so I am going to save you from death and give you another chance." God does this with us all the time. He watches us stray away time and again, but, when we cry out to Him, He looks at us with love and brings us back into the fold. God will never say, "That's enough. You've had your chances and you blew them." He will always say, "Come back to my love and grace my child." Isn't that amazing?

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