Only then did I cry out to God. And he answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried and He heard me.

“You cast me into the dark of the sea and flood waters pressed in all around me. Your billows and waves passed over me. I have been cast out of your sight, but I will keep my eyes on your temple. The waters surrounded even my soul, and the deep closed around me. Weeds tangled around me and I went into the moorings of the mountains. The bars of the earth shut behind me forever…
But you have brought me out of that pit, LORD. When my soul was faint, I remembered You and my prayer went into Your temple. Those who regard useless idols give up their own mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with thanksgiving and pay what I vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”

And when He spoke to the fish, it spat me onto dry land.

This week, we are looking at Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2.1-10. We hope you join us and read this section of Scripture before you come.

*This is a creative rendering of the book of Jonah by Ashley Berry. Download the full version here: word | pdf.

Upon boarding I made my way down into the hold of the ship to sleep away the voyage. Though no matter how badly I wished it, the Lord would not allow my disobedience.

As I slept, a storm began, tossing the ship about as driftwood upon the sea and the growing tempest had the hull of the ship screaming in protest. On deck, the mariners were in a panic. Scrambling and crying out to their gods, they even began heaving cargo overboard to lighten the load. Soon the captain raced down to wake me, “What are you doing?!” He yelled, “Get up and call to your God. Perhaps HE will help us!”

Barely awake, I could hear the crew saying, “Let us cast lots so we know whose fault it is that this is happening!” So they cast lots, and to no great surprise, it fell on me. They clamored around me, frantic. “Tell us why this is happening! Where did you come from? What is your country? Of what people are you?”

“I am Hebrew,” I admitted. “And I fear the LORD, the God of Heaven, who made the sea and the land.” They all recoiled in fear. “Why have you done this?” They knew I was running from God. I had already told them. “What can we do to calm the sea?” they shouted. The waters became more wrathful by the minute, roaring and showing the Lord’s power in devastating force. It was the most frightening display I had ever seen! I swallowed hard and knew what had to be done. Was this my release?

“Throw me into the sea,” I told them. “Then the sea will calm. I know this storm is because of me.” They were reluctant at first, not wishing my death and working hard to return to land, but the sea just grew more tempestuous. There was no escape with me aboard. They all cried, “Please, LORD, do not let us perish for this man’s sake. Do not charge us with innocent blood, for you have done as it pleases you!” With all options exhausted, they grabbed me and cast me into the sea, and it calmed for them. Seeing the Lord’s display, the sailors all offered a sacrifice to God and took vows.

As for me, I sank into the depths. But God’s plan was not about to end with my drowning. A giant fish suddenly appeared from the deep and swallowed me at once For three days and nights I sat in it’s dark, disgusting, and putrid belly…*

Join us tomorrow as we talk about Jonah’s heart in this time. And prepare your soul by reading the account in Scripture (Jonah 1.4-17).

*This is a creative rendering of the book of Jonah by Ashley Berry. Download the full version here: word | pdf.

When the Lord spoke to me, He left no room for debate. He said, “Go to the great city Nineveh and confront it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

I failed to heed this command as it seemed to be beyond reason. After all, He is merciful; I knew if I went that He would save them and that they were far from deserving. So I put it out of my mind and, instead, headed for Tarshish- away from the Lord and far from His will. I found a ship in Joppa willing to take me for a simple fee.*

This weekend, we will see how Jonah ran from God’s Word. Read the account in Scripture (Jonah 1.1-3) and join us at Atmosphere as Josh preaches through this section.

*This is a creative rendering of the book of Jonah by Ashley Berry. Download the full version here: word | pdf.

With Easter a week away I wanted to share with you a great quote from J.I. Packer.

“Had Jesus not risen, but stayed dead, the bottom would drop out of Christianity, for four things would then be true.
First, to quote Paul, 1 Corinthians 15.17: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”
Second, there is then no hope of our rising either; we must expect to stay dead
Third, if Jesus Christ is not risen, then he is not reigning and will not return, and every single item in the [Apostle's] Creed after “suffered and was buried” will have to be struck out.
Fourth, Christianity cannot be what the first Christians thought it was – fellowship with a living Lord who is identical with the Jesus of the Gospels. The Jesus of the Gospels can still be your hero, but he cannot be your savior.” (emphases mine)
[page 108; Jesus Keep me Near the Cross, Nancy Guthrie]

Why does the resurrection matter? Because without it, “The Jesus of the Gospels can still be your hero, but he cannot be your savior.”

You can purchase this book here for $9.35