PT-4 “A Heart of Consecration” (Jonah 2:8-9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/15/2025 9:33 AM

My Worship Time                                                            Focus:  PT-4 “A Heart of Consecration”

Bible Reading and Meditation                                                                   Reference: Jonah 2:8-9

            Message of the verses:

 

“Those who regard worthless idols

Forsake their lovingkindness,

But as for me, I will sacrifice to You

With the voice of thanksgiving.

That which I have vowed I will pay.

Salvation belongs to Yahweh.”

 

            I want to go back to what I wrote in yesterday’s morning SD on Jonah when I quoted John MacArthur who wrote “In full rejection of idolatry, Jonah exclaimed, But as for me.”  He thereby declared his intention to stand in contrast to the unbelieving world (cf. Rom. 12:1-2; James 4:4; 1 Peter 4:1-6).  In so doing Jonah articulated three resolutions for his life as he consecrated himself to Yahweh.”  We looked at the first two in yesterday’s SD, and we will look at the last one in this morning’s SD.

 

            “Third, having been delivered by God from the gates of death, Jonah resolved to rejoice in the truth of salvation.  At the end of his prayer, he proclaimed, ‘Salvation belongs to Yahweh.’  The word salvation refers to God’s entire work of rescuing and redeeming sinners (cf. Rom. 8:28-2-30).  The prophet recognized that salvation in its totality belongs to Yahweh (cf. Ps. 3:8; Prov. 21:31; Rev. 7:10).  Salvation is from Him, through Him, and to Him (cf. Eph. 1:7-12; Rom. 11:36).  No man can take credit for his salvation (cf. Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16, 21; Eph. 2:8-9), and Jonah’s experience made this truth clear.  Jonah had no ability to save himself or anyone else (cf. Jonah 2:2, 6, 0).  It was Yahweh who appointed the fish to rescue the drowning prophet and deliver him onto the shore (cf. 1:17; 2:9).

 

            “Through this experience, Jonah grew to understand God’s absolute sovereignty over all of salvation.  The Lord reminded His prophet that He retains the right to save whomever He wills, including the Ninevites (cf. Rom. 9:18).” “So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  “In fact, one day, a great multitude ‘from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues’ will declare, ‘Salvation belongs to our God’ (Rev. 7:9-10).  In response to Jonah’s obstinate rebellion, God intervened in Jonah’s life to sanctify him and teach him about the salvation that must reach the ends of the earth (Isa. 49:6).”  “He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’”

 

            “The culmination of Jonah’s penitent prayer moved from contrition and confession to a heart of consecration.  Because his heart had been changed, he eagerly rejected any form of idolatry and determined to follow God fully.  The fruit of that repentance was seen in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, in actions of submission and obedience, and in the articulation of God’s grace toward sinners.  In this way, Jonah exemplified the kind of heart-change that takes place in the life of any sinner who truly repents.”

 

             I can say that this sinner came to know the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ on the 26^th or January in the year of our Lord 1974, and it was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, and to every true believer.  To live almost 27 years being an unbeliever gave this sinner a time to commit far too many sins, and one of the sins that the Lord instantly took away from me was swearing, taking the Lord’s name in vain, and like I said God instantly took that sinful habit away from me.  There is nothing that I am more thankful in my life than the salvation that Jesus Christ provided for me when He died in my place on the cross, and for three dark hours on that cruel cross God took out on Jesus Christ all of the sins of mankind, and don’t ask me to explain why it only took three hours, but that is the truth that the Bible gives us and I believe it. 

 

Spiritual meaning for My life Today:  Think about the wonderful awesome salvation that Jesus Christ paid for, for me and for all who come to Him.

 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Give God the glory for saving me and for saving my whole family which includes two grown children and seven grandchildren, as one is already in heaven who was stillborn.

 

10/15/2025 9:56 AM