Neville Turley

God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.  Psalm 46:1-3 (GNB)

Jonah's prayer from deep inside the fish, marks a turning point in his relationship with the Lord.  He is no longer the rebellious runaway determined to do his own thing. 

He is scared that he is dying and pleads for help. Jonah for all his shortcomings was honest.  He speaks to God about his fear and suffering. God already knows what is in Jonah's heart but by being frank, Jonah is showing his own sincerity and reverence for the Lord.  We should do likewise. 

Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world where the devil, the father of all lies, sways many hearts.  Our society is awash with lies. Our leaders lie and we lie too, sometimes deliberately and often unintentionally.  People sometimes even lie to God! 

One popular pastor realised that he had fallen into the habit of saying to people in need of comfort, "I will pray for you" without actually doing so. Mortified he began writing down people's prayer needs so he would not fall into that trap.

The best antidote to counter the sin of lying is a vigorous prayer life. Our Lord taught us how to pray. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.  But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you."  (Matthew 6:5-6)

Alone, closeted within the fish, Jonah prayed, and God rewarded him. The Heavenly Father rewards us too when we, with honest sincerity, approach his throne of grace and proclaim him Savior and Lord.

Prayer: Almighty God we praise and glorify you through Jesus Christ our Lord who in unity with the Holy Spirit reigns with you - One God in Trinity.  Amen