Jonah 2

“Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2:8–9, NKJV)

From the fish’s belly, Jonah cried out to God. We don’t know how long it took before he repented and prayed. We know that for three days and three nights Jonah felt that death was imminent.

“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.” (Jonah 2:2, NKJV)

Sheol was the realm of the dead. Jonah felt that the fish’s belly was his grave. But he finally humbled himself and cried out to God to save him. During his prayer, Jonah stumbled on a wonderful truth: those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy. Think of the many idols that people worship. J. Vernon McGee defined an idol as anything that comes between us and our worship of God. It could be money, sex, power, fame, or a myriad of other things. But how worthwhile are these things in saving your soul? They may temporarily satisfy your flesh, but they can never edify the spirit. Moreover, they make you miss out on the mercy and salvation that is in the Lord alone. Why would anyone want to forsake the eternal compassions of the LORD that leave no regret for the trinkets and lusts of this world?

Last night we celebrated Christmas with our family. What joy filled Cindy and me as we considered how good God has been to us and to our loved ones. How thankful we are! What else compares to these tender mercies of God that He graciously bestows on His children?

While billows and waves passed over Jonah and seaweed wrapped around his head, the prophet came to his senses. He remembered God’s mercy and pledged to sacrifice thank offerings to Him. And God commanded the fish to vomit him onto dry land. God delivered his life from the pit, just as He delivered us from the dark hole of sin, death and despair when we believed in Jesus Christ.

Let us turn away from worthless idols and give God the thanksgiving and praise He deserves!