SOAP 04/03/2016; Jonah 2:7-8

Today's reading: Judges 17, 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3*

S) "⁷ While I was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
⁸ Those who regard vain idols
Forsake their faithfulness,"

Jonah 2:7-8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Jonah 2

O) Jonah had run from God, took a ship ride in the opposite direction that God wanted him to go. God caused a storm, the sailors were distressed and confused. Jonah confessed that he was running from the LORD, and he told them to cast him overboard (see ch.1). Whether that was a noble thing to do, or a suicidal thing to do, I'm not sure. In either case, God sent a fish (sea monster) to rescue Jonah by swallowing him. While in the belly of the beast, he prayed to God, repented of his stubborn selfishness, and the animal vomited him up on the shore. Toward the end of that prayer, right before he promised to do what he said he would do, and confessing that salvation is from the LORD (salvation, which he knew was going to come to Ninevah by his own prophecy against it, which he did not want), right before that assertion and confession, he prayed the words above. I think this is particularly revealing as to why he had the change of heart that he did. In that moment, while death was knocking at his door, his mind was consumed by the LORD. And in that same moment, he prayed what is, perhaps, his most compassionate prayer, that those who regard vain idols, forsake their faithfulness. That phrase seems to be translated in several ways. One version says they, "forsake their hope of steadfast love," and another says, "forsake their own mercy," Remembering that he is contrasting the reactions of idolaters with his own reaction, we see that he is realizing their hopelessness. He is understanding they are completely lost. When a day of destruction comes upon a person whose only hope is the creation of a man, and they realize that it has no real hope to give, they have nothing. Then Jonah declared that salvation is from the LORD.

A) There were times in my life that I really struggled to have compassion. There may still come about circumstances that can make it hard, but by the grace of God, He has given me a soft heart for others. At the root of that compassion, is my realization that God has redeemed me. Everything I have is because of His grace. Everything I have, is because of who I am in Christ Jesus. Other people simply do not have that. When I see people in the world, acting in ways that seem immature, unreasonable, mean, etc., it's easy to wonder why they don't just do better. This is not a person who just makes a mistake, but I mean people who are this way. When I see a homeless person, it would be easy to judge their motivation, will power, or sobriety. When I see a husband who is mean to his wife, it would be easy to judge his morality. But through all of the murky, obstructed view that I have of them, one thing shines brightly - the grace of God is what they need. There is no hope in a better job, a prettier wife, better medicine, or another bottle. What people need, just like what I needed, is God. They need the grace of Jesus Christ working in them. That understanding, that outlook, is what will motivate me to spread the gospel.

P) Father, thank You for working in me. I know that I am not anywhere close to finished, but I also know that You will continue this good work in me, until the day of completion when I am resurrected to glory with Jesus Christ. In the meantime, open my eyes. Help me to see the world, to see people, as You see them. God, continue to soften my heart and let me know the depths of despair that people have in their hearts, as they pursue empty vanities that will never deliver them. Let them learn of Your faithfulness. Salvation comes from You, God. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.