Unfair GraceSample

Most of us who love the Lord and know God will agree that there are times in our lives when we find ourselves in a “dark place." A time when we might be crippled with fear or a time of intense loneliness. For some, it may be a feeling of betrayal or abandonment. A time when we might feel or be burnt out or stuck in a rut. How do we usually respond in such situations? Many times we find ourselves wanting it to end ASAP! Or we might question and wonder how God can let his own beloved ones go through this. Or we tend to want to run away. We want to get as far away from this situation as possible.

Jonah had a very similar problem and reaction. When he tried to run away from God, we saw that he rejected a relationship with God. When the mighty winds and waves tossed the boat, the sailors were terrified and cried out for help. Jonah finally revealed to them that he was the cause of the storms, and by throwing him over, the sea would subside. He could have turned back to God there, but he continued to run. In verses 15-16, he told the sailors to throw him overboard. However, that was not the end. God was not done with Jonah yet. The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah for 3 days and 3 nights.

Jonah cried out from the belly of the fish. Ch 2, Verse 3: "For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas." Jonah finally acknowledges that cue from God! He realized that God had brought him here. To this deep, dark, belly of the fish. Sometimes we need to be incapacitated for God to get through to us. For Jonah, in his deepest, darkest moment, God met him. He encountered the mercy of God firsthand which enabled him to carry out the mission God had for him.

If we are in a similar situation right now, are we taking a moment to seek God? Are we seeking His will and purpose for our lives? Maybe this deep dark valley that we are in is because God wants to get our attention! Are we taking time out to spend with Him, in His Word, in His presence? It may feel like God has clipped our wings, we might feel like we are stuck. But there is hope for us too. Just like Jonah encountered God like never before, we have that same hope! There may be physical darkness but there is a spiritual awakening.