Deep Waters and Desperate Prayers

Jonah: The Relentless Pursuit of a Merciful God  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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God, in his mercy, may use dark places and desperate prayers to create a decisive change in our lives.

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Introduction

Recap
Jonah running from God
Even if you’re not running from God don’t tune out. We’ll see there is more to this passage than a water-logged prophet-turned-fish-food who finally apologizes before he’s digested.
God has you here today to hear from him.
Turn to the Word - read the passage
Jonah 1:17–2:10 ESV
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. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “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; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Jonah 1:17-2

A Dark Place (1:17)

What was this dark place like for Jonah
dark
fearful
stinky
hopeless
Maybe you can relate?

Our dark place may be God’s vehicle for salvation.

Our dark place may become our sanctuary with God.

Our dark place may ultimately be used to bring glory to God.

A Desperate Prayer (2:1-6)

Prayer in the Depths:

In the desperate prayer:

We have an outlet for our pain

it was an honest prayer
it was given to God not placed on someone else - God can handle it.
This is not always where we first go with our pain, but it needs to end up here
We put words to our fear, confusion, pain and bring it to the light

We have a place for God to speak

Our hearts and minds are reoriented to God
He can speak through his Word
Notice how Jonah’s prayer is drenched in the Psalms
The Word of God informs our minds and encourages our hearts.

A Decisive Change (2:7-10)

Return to God (7)

Return to Worship (8)

Return to Mission (9-10)

Conclusion

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