itsawonderfilledlife

As the advent season began, it began in the dark.

Jonah had been given a task by God and he didn’t like it, not one little bit.

As he attempted to flee his calling, things went from bad to worse (he had to know that would happen!!) and he was swallowed up by a whale.

From inside the whale, Jonah reflected on his situation.

It was dark and damp and dank. There was not even a hint at light … figuratively or literally.

He was stuck with nothing to do, but reflect … and pray. And pray he did!

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 
(still his God, even in the dark)

He said:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
(he prayed about his distress and how God answered his prayers!)

From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
    and you listened to my cry.
(Jonah acknowledged God’s listening)

You hurled me into the depths,
    into the very heart of the seas,
    and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
    swept over me.
I said, ‘I have been banished
    from your sight;
yet I will look again
    toward your holy temple.’
The engulfing waters threatened me,
    the deep surrounded me;
    seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
    the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, Lord my God,
    brought my life up from the pit.
(He recognizes God as his salvation)

“When my life was ebbing away,
    I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
    to your holy temple.
(

“Those who cling to worthless idols
    turn away from God’s love for them.
But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
    will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah 2

Despite the fact that God had asked Jonah to go to a place and people he didn’t want to go. And despite the fact that God allowed him to be swallowed up by a whale, Jonah prayed and called and remembered and praised God. Not only that but he said, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” Jonah knew that he could only truly live if he understood that the God who wanted him to go to Nineveh was the same God who was his salvation.

And, Jonah was spit out onto dry land … back into the light, just like how the end of advent comes with the presence of the light of the world. Even when our lives go dark, yet we can praise him.