Deep Sea Surrender

Jonah 1:17

The part that doesn’t often get noticed in Jonah’s well-known, underwater adventure is the connection between the moment when “the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10) and the moment of Jonah’s repentance. Jonah repented and was immediately delivered. Yet we know he was down there for three solid days leading up to his slimy rescue. So, what was he doing for those three days? Obviously, he wasn’t repenting—even in a place like that—or we can assume he’d have gotten out a lot sooner than he did. Our hearts can be amazingly resolute in our rebellion. We can go three days, three weeks, three months, three years, or longer, refusing to submit to His authority. Meanwhile He continues to pursue us—not about something new or that just recently came up, but about the same stupid thing we’ve been unwilling to release and relinquish for all that time. Perhaps, as you look around today, you find yourself in a fish of some kind. God is going about getting your full, undivided attention—and He’ll do anything for it. But with Him, the way up is down. The only way to walk out of this situation is to bow down from inside it. If you’ve never laid yourself out before God, saying, “Yes, Lord, whatever You want,” maybe He never really had your complete attention in the first place. Fall into His arms today. Let Him have what He’s been working so faithfully to get from you. Invite Him to do again in you the things He wants to do—the things He’s been pursuing you for.

Questions for further thought:
1. What do you sense God has been trying to get your attention about lately?
2. What kind of avoidable trouble could end right now if you laid down your rebellion today?

Challenge: Take some time this week and genuinely confess and forsake your sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you combat the temptation to lie or present half-truths. Watch as He works!