Our God Who Pursues: Guiding Us Back to HimНамуна

Week 2: Trusting God Wholeheartedly

Prayers from the Pit

Read: Jonah 1:17-2:10

SOAP: Jonah 2:2

“I called out to the Lord from my distress, and he answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried out for help, and you heard my prayer.”

Into the Text

Jonah was at the lowest point of his life, both literally and figuratively. It would have been easy for him to blame God and grow bitter. Instead, Jonah recognized that it was his own actions that led him to this place in the belly of a great fish. Notice what Jonah does. He cries out in prayer.

Jonah pours out his heart before the Lord. His prayer is raw and honest. And what does God do? He hears and answers.

In our darkest valleys, God hears our prayers. He cares for us and responds, though it may not be immediate or in the way we expect. But He always hears.

For some, you may find yourself in a pit due to your actions. If so, call out to Jesus. He wants to have a relationship with you. There is no sin that is too great for the cross and grace of Christ. All you have to do is pray in faith, asking for forgiveness.

God is in the business of redeeming that which was lost or that which is stuck in the pit. Your lowest moments or seasons of life will not be wasted. There is hope found in Jesus.

For others, you may find yourself in a pit due to hard life circumstances or the actions of others. Know that you are not alone. You have not been forgotten. These seasons feel long and weary, but it is not the end of your story. David writes in Psalm 23 “even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me” (23:4). Cry out to God in your hurt and pain. It will not catch Him off guard. Depend on Him to give you strength for each day.

Jonah’s prayer realigned his heart back to God so that he would be ready to faithfully follow God’s call to go to Nineveh. May your prayers today bring you peace and trust in the only place where true life is found, in Christ. As Jonah’s story wasn’t over, yours is not either.

Prayer

God, I need you now more than ever. Life is hard and painful, and I need your peace and strength today. Thank you that you are a God who hears, cares, and answers. May I depend on you alone to get me through the dark valleys. Amen.