JONAH AND THE MERCY OF GOD PT 1: “THE CALL, CHAOS, AND CATCH”.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Jonah 1:1-17
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”
3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.
5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.
6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”
7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?”
9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous.
12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.”
13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.
14 Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.”
15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.
16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
THE CALL:
Jonah 1:1-2
“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.’”
Jonah’s resistance often mirrors our own struggles when God’s call pushes us beyond our comfort zones or asks us to extend grace to those we find undeserving.
Gods call challenges us to rely not on our own wisdom, but on His grace, transforming us as we step into His redemptive mission.
Jonah’s story reminds us that while Gods call may feel overwhelming or inconvenient, it is always tied to a greater purpose.
THE CHAOS:
Jonah 1:3-4
“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.”
Jonah’s flight didn’t bring him the peace he sought. Instead, his actions triggered a storm of chaos.
This illustrates a vital truth:
Our choices, whether to obey or resist God, rarely affect us alone.
The storm was not simply punishment; it was a divine intervention, redirecting Jonah back to God’s purpose. It reminds us that even when our disobedience creates chaos, God’s sovereignty can bring redemption from our mistakes.
THE CATCH:
Jonah 1:5-17
“And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
Despite Jonah’s outright running and deliberate disobedience, God’s mercy is a central thread woven throughout his story, revealing the boundless grace of a God who pursues His people even when they run.
Jonah was given the opportunity to confront his disobedience, realign his heart with God’s will, and recognize the depth of God’s mercy.
This key moment in Jonah’s journey underscores a profound truth:
God’s mercy is not something we earn through obedience or good behavior; it is an unearned gift extended to us even when we least deserve it.
Psalm 103:8-10 says,
“The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.”
God’s mercy is transformative; it doesn’t leave us where we are but carries us toward the people He created us to be.
TABLE TIME:
How does the story of Jonah challenge our understanding of God’s pursuit of us and His commitment to His redemptive mission, even when we run in the opposite direction?
Jonah’s story is a testimony of second chances. Where have you experienced God’s mercy and grace despite your resistance or failures?
The storm in Jonah’s story was a divine intervention.
Have you experienced a “storm” in your life that redirected you back to God’s purpose?
What did you learn from it?
Jonah’s time in the belly of the fish wasn’t punishment, but a time for repentance and reflection. How has God used difficult situations in your life to draw you closer to Him?
The sailors in Jonah’s story eventually turned to God because of Jonah’s situation. How can God use even our failures and mistakes to bring others closer to Him?
In the message we saw that God’s calls are not just about changing the lives of others but also about transforming us. How have you experienced personal transformation through obedience to God’s direction in your life?
Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us of God’s unending mercy.
How can recognizing God’s this mercy help you trust Him more deeply in the year ahead?
Jonah’s story challenges us to respond to God’s call with faith and obedience. What steps can you take this year to say “yes” to God’s call in your life?
PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER:
DAILY DEVOTIONALS FOR THIS WEEK:
MONDAY: Embracing God’s Call
Reading: Jonah 1:1-3, Romans 8:28-30
“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.’ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” (Jonah 1:1-3, ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30, ESV)
Devotional:
God’s call on Jonah’s life was unmistakable, yet Jonah chose to run. Like Jonah, we may struggle to embrace God’s direction when it challenges our comfort or confronts our fears. Reflect on areas in your life where you sense God’s calling but feel hesitant. What fears or doubts are holding you back? Remember, God’s plans are always grounded in love and wisdom, working for your ultimate good and His glory. Pray for the courage to say “yes” to God’s call, trusting in His purpose and faithfulness.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unwavering purpose for my life. Help me to recognize Your call and respond with faith. Remove any fear or doubt that holds me back, and give me the courage to trust in Your perfect plan. Guide me to step into what You have prepared for me, knowing You work all things for my good and Your glory. Amen.
TUESDAY: Running from God’s Presence
Reading: Jonah 1:4-10, Psalm 139:7-12
“But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, ‘What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.’” (Jonah 1:4-6, ESV)
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” (Psalm 139:7-12, ESV)
Devotional:
Jonah’s attempt to escape from God’s presence led to chaos. How often do we, like Jonah, try to avoid God’s plans or hide areas of our lives from Him? Psalm 139 reminds us that there is nowhere we can go to escape God’s loving presence. Reflect on times when you’ve tried to distance yourself from God. What were the consequences? Remember, even in our running, God pursues us with relentless love. Invite Him into areas you may be keeping hidden, and trust in His unwavering presence.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for pursuing me even when I try to run from You. Help me to see that Your presence is a gift, not something to avoid. Reveal any areas of my life where I am resisting You, and teach me to rest in Your constant love and guidance. Draw me closer to You and remind me that Your presence brings peace, not chaos. Amen.
WEDNESDAY: God’s Mercy in the Midst of Disobedience
Reading: Jonah 1:11-17, Lamentations 3:22-23
“Then they said to him, ‘What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?’ For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. He said to them, ‘Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.’ … So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:11-17, ESV)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)
Devotional:
Even in Jonah’s rebellion, God’s mercy was evident. The great fish wasn’t punishment but a means of rescue. Similarly, God’s mercy often shows up in unexpected ways, even through our failures. Reflect on times when you’ve experienced God’s mercy, especially when you felt undeserving. How has His faithfulness been evident in your life? Let the truth of His new mercies every morning renew your hope and strengthen your faith. Spend time thanking God for His mercy and recalling specific moments of His grace in your life.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your mercy that meets me even in my mistakes. I praise You for Your faithfulness and for the ways You continually rescue and restore me. Help me to see Your hand at work in my life, and let Your mercy renew my hope each day. Fill my heart with gratitude for Your unending love and grace. Amen.
THURSDAY: Transformation Through Trials
Reading: Jonah 2:1-10, Romans 5:3-5
“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. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me… When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.” (Jonah 2:2-7, ESV)
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)
Devotional:
Jonah’s time in the fish’s belly was a period of reflection and transformation. In his distress, he turned back to God, and his prayer became a testimony of God’s deliverance. Similarly, trials in our lives can become catalysts for spiritual growth. Reflect on current challenges you’re facing. How might God be using these moments to refine your character or deepen your faith? Instead of asking God to remove your struggles, pray for the wisdom to see His purpose and the strength to grow through them.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for being with me in every trial. Teach me to trust You in difficult seasons and to see Your purpose in the struggles I face. Help me to grow in endurance, character, and hope as I lean on You. Strengthen my faith and draw me closer to You through every challenge. Amen.
FRIDAY: Extending God’s Mercy to Others
Reading: Jonah 3:1-10, Matthew 5:43-48
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10, ESV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45, ESV)
Devotional:
God’s mercy toward Nineveh was a profound demonstration of His love for all people, even those we might deem undeserving. Jonah struggled to accept this, and we often do too. Reflect on relationships or situations where you find it difficult to extend mercy. How does God’s unconditional love for you challenge your perspective? Pray for a heart that reflects His compassion, and consider one practical way you can demonstrate unexpected kindness or forgiveness to someone today.
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank You for showing me mercy time and time again. Help me to reflect Your love and compassion in my relationships. Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven me, and to extend kindness even to those I struggle to love. Use me to be a vessel of Your grace, sharing Your heart with the world around me. Amen.