SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9/29/2025 10:14 AM
My Worship Time Focus: “A Humble Condition” (PT-1)
Bible Reading and Meditation Reference: Jonah 2:1
Message of the verse: “Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh his God from the stomach of the fish…”
We see something that has not taken place in the book of Jonah, and that is that Jonah prayed, a term referring not only to general communication with God but also specifically to making intercession (cf. Num. 21:7; Deut. 9:20; 1 Kings 13:6; Jer. 7:16), whether for another (cf. Gen. 20:7) or for oneself (cf. 1 Sam. 1:26; 1 Kings 8:33; Isa. 45:20). Now with such a prayer, Jonah acknowledged personal weakness and dependence on God, looking to the Lord alone to act (cf. Pss. 5:3; 32:6). The prophet had ample opportunities to pray. He could have prayed about his concerns to the Lord right after he was commissioned to Nineveh (Jonah 1:1-2), especially since he does so later in the book. (cf. 4:2). He could have petitioned the Lord from the boat in the storm (1:4-5), especially since the sailors fervently exhorted him to cry out to his God (1:6). But Jonah was blinded by pride (cf. Josh. 9:14; 2 Chron. 16:12; Ps. 1o:4; 107:11; Zeph. 1:6), he had refused to do so. Now in response, God humbled Jonah His servant by casting him into the deep, so that the one who had rebelliously refused to pray would pray in extreme desperation and dependence, dependence on Him.
John MacArthur writes “Jonah prayed to Yahweh, the God of heaven, Creator of land and sea, and the One who made a covenant with His people. The use of God’s covenant name is a reminder that prayer is both personal and particular. Jonah did not merely engage in a spiritual exercise or religious ritual (cf. Zech. 7:5; Matt. 6:7; Luke 18:11).” I want to take the time to look at these three verses now.
"But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.’"’"
"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
"The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
“Rather, the earnestly entreated God for deliverance. That Jonay felt he could entreat the Lord after defying Him so blatantly revealed hisknowledge of Yahweh’s gracious character. As the Lord revealed to Moses, His lovingkindness endures forever, which is evidenced by His willingness to pardon those who repent (cf. Exod. 34:6-8; Jonah 4:2). Genuine repentance requires turning wholeheartedly to the Lord (cf. Acts 14:13-18; 17:23-34; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 11:6) and away from any idolatrous competitor to Him (cf. Ps. 50:21). From the belly of the fish, Jonah turned to the Lord, fully convinced that Yahweh was his only hope.”
Spiritual Meaning for My Life Today: Ever since my wife found out that she had cancer my prayer life has been different, as I have prayed to the Lord for direction in my prayer life that it may be pleasing to the Lord. Life is full of ups and downs and so prayer has to be something that is done through those ups and downs.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Trusting the Lord to do as James speaks of in James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
9/30/2025 8:27 AM
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