S) "5 Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep."
Jonah 1:5 (NASB)
O) The story of Jonah is pretty famous. I mean, in terms of Bible stories learned in Sunday school, it's gotta be pretty high up there. As often as I've read this book (and it ranks pretty highly among complete books of the Bible that I've read), I think this is the first time that this particular verse struck me. I was immediately reminded of the story of Jesus calming the sea (see Matthew 8:23-27). In both cases, the storm was sudden, men were in peril, the one who held the answer slept, and God was glorified in the end when no one died. Obviously, there are innumerable differences between Jonah and Jesus, but I found this sleeping parallel very intriguing. like Jesus, he held an incredible calm for a man in such a precarious position. go even their vast differences, I think this tells us a lot about Jonah's faith. As much as it angered him, he was so sure God's word coming to pass, that he chose to sleep during a potentially fatal storm. While it might be argued that he would rather die than Ninevah be spared, I'd counter by reading v.9 again (and all of ch.2, for that matter). Why not simply remain silent? Why pray for resurrection? No, I'd say that Jonah, like Jesus, knew that the storm would not mean his death.
A) So, how I respond during a storm, really says it all about my faith, then. What is the foundation of my faith? It has to be the unfailing, powerful, truthful, compassionate nature of my God. Granted, I am not holding a prophecy that I've yet to deliver, but there are still promises that I (and every believer) claim. Most notably, the eternal life given by faith in Jesus Christ. Beyond that, in the here and now, this verse shows another facet in the benefit of seeking the LORD continually. When He does give me a specific, individual promise, it increases my hope until it is fulfilled, and my faith when He proves Himself faithful once more.
P) Father, thank You for being so reliable. You are unshakeable and strong, a refuge in every storm. By the Holy Spirit, bring me back to Your strong tower during every tempest. Open my ears to hear, and eyes to see, every promise You have for me, according to Your perfect will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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