In this enriching episode, we reflect on the significant moments of Jonah’s prayer from the depths, focusing on how divine intervention leads us from despair to hope. By looking at the temptations and troubles faced by Jonah, we uncover the consistent presence of God in the lives of those who seek His guidance. Reconnect with your faith through the timeless wisdom of Scripture and find solace and encouragement through the example of Jonah’s dedication and spiritual renewal.
No matter the depth of suffering and hurt, God is always present. And through the prophet Jonah, let’s be reminded of that today in our study from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us.
SPEAKER 02 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you always to our J-Web, our esteemed announcer, and greetings and hello to all of you, our esteemed audience. We are always honored when you join our broadcast to study the Word of God here from the International Gospel Hour. Psalm 119, 105 reminds us, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. So may we take that light today to lead us in the good way God would have us to go. Our subject today is God’s presence when I plead. And that thought comes from Jonah chapter 1 and verse 17, when the Bible says, Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. And then we go into chapter 2, Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. Well, what we’re going to do, folks, is we’re going to read a little, and we’re going to study a little. Or, like I say, read a little and let’s teach much. Oh, the richness of the Word of God. From Jonah chapter 2, verse 2, Jonah’s prayer, and he said, I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol He cried, and God heard His voice. In other words, the belly of Sheol, or that old word that is translated hell in many places. In the King James Version, it’s translated hell because the King James translators looked upon that word as a word that means a place that is covered over. Some translations say grave, and that would be accurate. And the reason the King James translators called it hell was because a roofer in Old English time was called a heller. They covered over the building with a roof. And so when you find that translation out of the belly of hell, or Sheol, the grave, the covered place, I cried and you heard my voice. In other words, Jonah was as low as he possibly could be. He said to God in verse 3, For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me, all your billows and your waves passed over me. Then I said, I have been cast out of your sight, yet I will look again toward your holy temple. You know, from verses 3 and 4, Jonah did not blame God. He knew who was at fault. He continued his prayer in verses 5 and 6, The waters surrounded me even to my soul. The deep closed around me. Weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains. The earth with its bars closed behind me forever. Yet you have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. You know, in Jonah chapter 1, we noted how Jonah fled. He went down to Joppa, down into the ship, down into the lowest parts of the ship, laid down to sleep, thrown down into the water. Now we see he’s down in a great fish, and even down to the moorings or the base of mountains underwater. But yet he looks unto God, you have brought up my life. He continues in verses 7-9, When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord. And my prayer went up to you into your holy temple. Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy. Folks, do you think Jonah recalled those mariners in Jonah chapter 1 who cried unto their lowercase God? Verse 9, he says, But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. So the Lord spoke to the fish in verse 10, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Now let’s look at the summary of this chapter within our subject, God’s presence when I plead. Notice what Jonah did. He said, I will look again. I will remember. I will sacrifice to you. I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. So friends, when we are swallowed up with circumstances in life, it’s time to look again unto God and remember what He has done and is doing. It’s time to change ourselves and submit to God to grasp those final five words Jonah stated. Salvation is of the Lord. Let’s continue our study of God’s presence when I plead in a moment.
SPEAKER 02 :
In a world of division and even confusion in the religious world, friends, please know this. The Bible is always right. The free booklet, Something is Wrong, But the Bible is Right, is available from International Gospel Hour. Please call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, your address, and just say, Bible Tract. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com Now, friends, let’s talk about God’s presence when I plead. As we have considered our text today, when I plead, I’m swallowed up in sin. God is present.
SPEAKER 01 :
You see, God is present because He gave Jesus Christ who died for us, John 3 and verse 16. When we hear and understand that beautiful gospel message, we note that from Romans chapter 10 and verse 17, how faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. And we move on our faith. It’s commanded in Hebrews 11 and verse 6. Then, believing in God, believing in Christ, we repent of our sins. The command of Jesus in Luke 13 and verse 3. And then, of course, we note in Acts 2 and verse 38, the preaching of repentance that Jesus commanded to be preached in all places, beginning at Jerusalem, Luke 24, 44-47. when one confesses their faith in Christ before men, as we see that eunuch who did so in Acts 8 and verse 37, then one is baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of those sins, just like the eunuch was in Acts chapter 8, verses 38 and 39, as they were on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and verse 38 through 41 and other places. Dear friends, if we are swallowed up in sin, God is present. He has the plan to bring us out of sin. and to add us to the church of which his son died for and purchased, Acts 20 and verse 28, the church that he promised to build, Matthew 16, verse 18. Also, when I plead, I’m swallowed up in unfaithfulness God is present. I’ve had individuals tell me, Jeff, I don’t feel as if my prayers are going anywhere. And maybe they are not because those individuals are not going anywhere. You see, sin separates us from God as noted in Isaiah 59 in verse 2 and Micah 3 in verse 4. And in 1 Peter 3, 12, the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, James 5, 16. So could it be we are swallowed up in the world like that prodigal son in Luke 15? that we have left God and walked away, and we wonder why things are not working the way they should, maybe it is time for us to come back to God, to confess those sins, and to be restored as if we had never left. Thirdly, when I plead, I’m swallowed up in struggles, God is present. You know, I think about, we’re talking about water and ocean and all, I think of Matthew 14, 25-27, to when Jesus in the fourth watch of the night was walking on the sea, and when the disciples saw him, they were troubled, thinking it was a ghost. And they cried out for fear, but Jesus said, Be of good cheer, it is I, do not be afraid. And that word troubled means to stir or to agitate. And don’t forget how far out they were at sea, and to even think they saw someone walking on the sea, no doubt they were troubled, and that’s why they cried out for fear. But Jesus said, Be of good cheer, it is I. Do not be afraid. A statement that is loaded with significance. For Jesus reassured them with his presence, telling them not to let fear overwhelm them. And how those words echo throughout history is a reminder that even in our most anxious moments, we can find comfort and strength in Christ. And when Jesus told them to be of good cheer, when you look at that in the original Greek language, it’s declared as a command. So you see, the Savior commands when storms of life start controlling. He reminds us, have confidence in me, have boldness in me, have courage in me. And I’ve spoken with many individuals about matters and even fears in their lives and suggested a better relationship with Christ and His church. And you know, it is strange. They ask for help, but that’s not the help they are looking for. Well, let me add, if one already had the answers they are looking for, would their fears have not been dealt with and would their challenges have not been met? But, oh, there are countless others who, in dealing with their fears, anxieties, and uncertainties, will turn to Christ while closer with Him, and they will see a difference. It works every time. You see, when we see the challenge, He’ll provide the consolation. When there are pressures, He provides the promises. And when one is a bit haggard, well, friends, there is hope. To look unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12, 1 and 2. What an awesome study. And we’re about near the end of our broadcast, but I want to leave you with our free Bible course by mail we would love for you to have.
SPEAKER 02 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 01 :
And friends, again, we appreciate you listening to us today. Let us send you that free Bible course soon, and we’ll study here together at another time. Thanks again for being with me today. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening today. To God be the glory. And we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com and join us next time.
