Jonah And The Mercy Of God PT 2 - Grace In The Deep - 1/12/25
January 11, 2025

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Jonah and The Mercy of God PT 2 - Grace In The Deep


Jonah 2

1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.

2 He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

3 You hurled me into the depths,into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.

4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’

5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.

6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever.But you, Lord my God,brought my life up from the pit.

7 “When my life was ebbing away,I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.

9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.


Grace Meets Us In Desperation

Jonah found himself in a dire situation, physically trapped and spiritually broken.

Even in the darkest moments, Jonah believed he could turn his eyes back to God.

Desperation can be a powerful teacher. It strips away our illusions of control and self-sufficiency, forcing us to confront our need for God.

Jonah’s story reminds us that no situation is beyond God’s reach.

Desperation is not a sign of defeat, it’s an opportunity to experience God’s power in a profound way.

Prayer doesn’t have to be eloquent, it needs to be real!

As Psalm 34:17 reminds us,
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”


God’s Grace Rescues And Restores

Jonah’s rescue was two-fold: Physical and Spiritual.

It symbolized a restoration of his relationship with God and a renewal of his purpose.

Ephesians 2:4-5
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—
it is by grace you have been saved”

Paul describes humanity’ s spiritual condition as being “dead in transgressions,”; Utterly incapable of saving ourselves.

Yet, because of God’s love and mercy we are rescued and made alive in Christ.

God’s grace doesn’t stop at rescuing us,it restores us!

God’s rescue is immediate. He meets us where we are, but his restoration is a process, as He lovingly heals our hearts.


Grace Prepares Us For Purpose

Jonah acknowledges the futility of idols, which is anything we place above God, and recommits himself to God’s mission.

God’s grace is life changing, it doesn’t just save us from our past,it equips us for our future.

God’s grace in our lives isn’t only about forgiveness, it’s about empowering us to live out the purpose He has for us.

God didn’t just save Jonah to leave him where he was, He prepared Jonah for the next step of his journey.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”


TABLE TIME:

Jonah’s prayer begins in desperation. Why do you think desperation can lead us to turn to God more earnestly?

Jonah felt both physical and spiritual brokenness. How do external circumstances (like
health, relationships, or finances) and internal struggles (like guilt or fear) shape our prayers?

What does it mean to you that God doesn’t just save us but also restores us? Can you think of a time when God not only rescued you but brought healing or purpose into your life?

How can remembering God’s past faithfulness give you confidence in current or future
challenges?

Jonah recognized the futility of idols and recommitted himself to God’s mission. What “idols” (e.g., fear, pride, control, or distractions) might you need to let go of to fully follow God’s purpose for your life?

How does God’s grace inspire gratitude and obedience in your life?

Philippians 1:6. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (ESV). How does this verse encourage you to trust God’s work in your life, even when it feels incomplete?

Jonah’s story highlights how desperation can lead to grace. What’s one area of your life where you feel desperate or weak? How can you turn that over to God in prayer this week?


PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER:


WHAT IS GOD SAYING?