But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD – Jonah 2:9
This is the prayer of Jonah to the living God from Belly of the Fish – Thanksgiving prayer. In the preceding chapter, God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn the people to repent from their sin to escape the wrath of God. But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went to Joppa to board a ship to flee from the Lord. In current day-Nineveh is in Iraq, Tarshish city in Spain and Joppa in Tel-Aviv (Israel). He was heading towards a city which is 3000 miles far-off. He was trying to pursue his own will rather than God’s will.
When we disobey God, we will go through storms in life like Jonah. Though we are born again, like Jonah we have disobeyed God’s instructions many times. God in His mercy forgives us and gives a second chance like He gave for Jonah. As mentioned in Peter 3:8 – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Delayed obedience is equal to disobedience. Let us all keep our personal agenda aside and learn to pursue the will of God in our life.
Prayer: Dear Father, please help us not to lean on our own understanding rather surrender ourselves by obeying to your will. In Jesus name I pray – Amen!!!