Jesus Is More Powerful Than the Darkness in Our Lives...He is More Powerful than Death Itself!
Jonah 2:1-10 New International Version
2 1 [a]From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.
5 The engulfing waters threatened me,[b] To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. 6 But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you.10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” 10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Tuesday - August 17
When I think of Jonah being in the belly of this giant fish, it makes me think of the scene in the classic Disney movie, Pinnochio, when the puppet-boy, his creator/father, and the cat are caught inside a giant whale. The whale’s belly is a giant cavern that even has a boat inside! Jonah, however, describes being in the belly of the great fish as if he were dead and in hell (Sheol). Later, Jesus uses the story of Jonah to describe his own impending death. Like Jonah, we know that “salvation belongs to God.” No matter what kind of dark, hopeless situation we find ourselves in, God is faithful and powerful to save. That is why Jesus refers to Jonah. Jesus is not only more powerful than the darkness in our lives, but he is more powerful than death itself. And when Jesus speaks… the great “fish” of death vomits us out onto dry land.