Be blessed by Jonah’s prayer. Praise our great God! Often it is only through loss and deliverance that God gets the glory.
Jonah 2: Jonah's Prayer
1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,
2 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.
3 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.
4 Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.'
5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head
6 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.
7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"
10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Things to think about…
1. Often we need to be placed in a situation where we are totally dependent upon God so that we are left with nothing else in order to cry out to Him. It’s never pleasant to the flesh, but often a necessity to grow in spirit. That’s what happened with Jonah, Jon 2:2. It says the Lord heard him. When did God hear you in a time of distress?
2. Didn’t Jonah’s mariner friends throw him into the deep? But Jon 2:3 says that the Lord did it. Who do you attribute times of trial and suffering to? How do you discern whether it is sin, the devil or the Lord? As God is ultimately in sovereign control, how should this affect your attitude to the situation? A loving God is being every difficult providence. Sometimes the joy can only come after the pain…but joy will come.
3. We asked this question on Sunday when we considered 2Peter. What do you think will be your last thoughts and words just as you take your final breath? None of us can know, but Jonah says that when his life was fainting away he remembered the Lord, Jon 2:7. The temple gets a mention a couple of times in this chapter. Why does Jonah mention it as he prays do you think? What is the same equivalence for us? We of course enter into the direct presence of God through the work of the cross of Christ. But the temple represented God’s presence and Solomon’s prayer was that when the Lord’s people turned towards Jerusalem and the Temple to pray – the Lord would hear and forgive 1King 8:30.
4. Jonah says he will do what he vowed, Jon 2:9 because salvation belongs to the Lord. What service have you said ‘Yes’ to because you have been saved through faith in Christ. Are you keeping your word?
5. Jonah says the Lord spoke to the fish and he vomited Jonah upon dry land, Jon 2:10. Do you believe this really happened? If so, how would you explain this to critics who would say you believe in fairy tales. At the end of the day, it is by faith we believe these things, even the elementary things in the scriptures. Even though some things are hard to believe because they are miraculous, our God created the heavens, the earth and in this case the fish that carried Jonah. Let’s not believe in part, but the whole.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Leaders’ meetings this week. Year planning services.
2. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor.
3. New contacts remain engaged and connected into the church.
4. Our One for Israel ministry.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Ministry Leaders being set apart.
2. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
3. New folk becoming members of CBC
4. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Special members meeting confirming Youth and Young Adults role engagement/employment tasks – 22nd Jan after the morning service.
2. Quarterly Members meeting 26th Feb after the service.
3. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for January...
Q. 4. How can you glorify God? A. By loving Him and doing what He commands.
