Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into Prison for sharing the gospel. And, he and Silas sat in prison and prayed and sang hymns. They were encouraging themselves in their faith, turning to God, loving God in the middle of what can only be described as discouraging and completely disheartening circumstances (I mean, understatement here). It reminds me that I am also called to do the same—I wonder if these very circumstances are what inspired Paul to write Philippians 4, “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. I say it again, REJOICE.” He goes on to instruct to not be anxious about ANYTHING but pray about EVERYTHING, with petitions and thanksgiving. Jesus, help me to do the same. Help me to remember to take joy in You and give everything over to You.
Not only do Paul and Silas keep their jailer from killing himself, but they also bring him and his entire family to know God and be baptized. God is so awesome.
What a contrast between Jonah and Paul and Silas!
Jonah, once finally where God wanted him, spoke the words that he was supposed to, but with out the right spirit. He wanted to see God destroy a great city with thousands of people in it.
Paul and Silas went into a city where they weren’t welcomed and cared deeply for the souls of the people there, and was a witness to all that were there and saw a whole family come to Christ as a result.
What stuck out to me today was the parallels between these two passages and how attitude made a big difference. Jonah’s cell is the belly of a whale. He got their by disobeying God, but God shows him mercy and frees him. Then he’s angry and sulky and upset that God saved an entire group of people. Paul’s cell is an actual cell. Despite being harmed and thrown in after obeying God’s mission(s) for him, he doesn’t get upset at his circumstances. But God still shows him His mercy and frees him, in the process saving his jailer and his family. Paul never gets upset at God for being thrown in jail, he just asks for an apology from the people who did it! I feel these two passages show us that God loves us so much that he’ll always take care of us – whether we’re being brats or obedient children. However, how much better trials will be if we have the attitude of Paul compared to Jonah. Paul’s heart was open to the miraculous wonders of God saving people and was even blessed by them! Jonah shut his eyes to that miracle of 120,000 and instead of being blessed was scorched. What a good lesson to keep seeking God.
I think it’s cool how God is constantly shaping us for the better. When He sends trials and hardship, it’s all for our good (which means being closer to God). The book of Job is also a good example of this. In that one though, Job accepted every tragedy with understanding. But more often I feel like Jonah where as he complained and ran away. Just an interesting thought though that all of God’s work is purposeful in some way or another- even if we don’t understand.
I totally understand you Veronique! Can I just say tho. don’t worry about being a “better Christian”. It is not a coincidence that you know who God is! He has become present in your life for a reason! Not because of anything you’ve done, but only because He wants you and has chosen you! Your salvation and the love God has for you does not depend on your work! Jesus has already done the work for you! I encourage you to read your bible, not to become a “better” Christian, but to get to know Him more and by getting to know Him more it’ll help you to see how great, how vast God’s love is for you!
I never read past the fish part of Jonah, but then again i never really read my bible. It sat on my shelf collecting dust as a trophy of being a Christian when I allowed my flame to wither and fade … recently I started praying again and went to church again( the first time in years) . I can see myself as Jonah i tend to see more wonders every day but i have caught myself being afraid of my religion in public its as if i have something to be afraid of if my religion doesn’t match the religion of the person im talking to… maybe its because im young and inexperienced. But i know that i can be a better Christian… ive been constantly crying these past days and im super emotional I even went as far as denying my Lord when i was questioned about it and im sooo ashamed
It’s hard being new in your faith! I get nervous talking to people about being a Christian because I don’t want to stumble or mislead anyone. All I can say is pray!! Pray and read your Bible. Study what you can. You will be amazed one day when you feel more confident. Also- talk to your new pastor, they might be able to guide you. I pray it gets easier for you ❤️
I totally understand you Veronique! Can I just say tho. don’t worry about being a “better Christian”. It is not a coincidence that you know who God is! He has become present in your life for a reason! Not because of anything you’ve done, but only because He wants you and has chosen you! Your salvation and the love God has for you does not depend on your work! Jesus has already done the work for you! I encourage you to read your bible, not to become a “better” Christian, but to get to know Him more and by getting to know Him more it’ll help you to see how great, how vast God’s love is for you!
Thank you ladies, I know your prayers worked. I talked to my husband about my feelings which was so helpful. It reminded me of how much my mindset has changed since I have moved toward a more Christ centered life. I just need to keep pushing through and share my feelings with others and not let them sit on my chest.
If anyone sees this, I could use some prayers and advice. I have been reading the bible daily and trying to make God the center of my life for about three years now. I grew up in a faith community but never bought into it. As a adult, I decided that I wanted to try Christianity again and learn more. Sometimes I really think I “get it” and others I am left feeling so frustrated and upset wondering if what I’m even putting all of this time into is real. I have prayed “lord help my unbelief” so many times it almost seems to have lost its meaning. I’m going around in circles. Thanks for your prayers ladies.
Stephanie, I’m praying for you! God is certainly real, and He will help you through this. Don’t give up your faith! Pray constantly whenever you have feelings of doubt. You don’t have to hide or filter your frustration from God. Put it in His hands! Ask Him why, ask Him about things you don’t understand, ask Him to help you in times of need. Just draw near to Him no matter how you feel. He will bring you through! ❤️
Just skimming a commentary on Jonah and this stuck out to me regarding Jonah’s second prayer (when he is upset with the Lord):
“He prayed unto the Lord, but it is a very awkward prayer, not like that which he prayed in the fish’s belly; for affliction teaches us to pray submissively, which Jonah now forgot to do. Being in discontent, he applied to the duty of prayer, as he used to do in his troubles, but his corruptions got head of his graces, and, when he should have been praying for benefit by the mercy of God himself, he was complaining of the benefit others had by that mercy. Nothing could be spoken more unbecomingly.” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/jonah/4.html)
Oh Jonah. YOU ARE ALL OF US. I’m an emotional person and I read Jonah a few years ago thinking “I’m nothing like Jonah.” Oh how wrong I was. I love this book so much because Jonah is up and down and back and forth and all over the map. And yet…God uses him mightily and this story is included in the Bible for a reason. The contrast between Jonah’s two prayers is a template for me to search my heart in the midst of my own prayers. Do I pray like Jonah in the belly? Or do I pray like the angry sulky Jonah? So much to learn from Jonah.
Why do you think he was so upset witnessing God’s mercy on the Ninevites? Because he was a man of justice? Was there a personal grudge against them, like “they’re not getting what they deserve!”
I’m wondering if Jonah is so upset because if God relents and doesn’t destroy Ninevah, which it appears Jonah thinks might happen bc he knows God is merciful (acc to 4:2) then Jonah will look like a fool… like a God follower freak who thinks he’s bringing a true message but who is crazy. In fact, many of the naysayers in Ninevah might say “That guys an idiot, God didn’t do anything to us… Never will, never would bc He doesn’t exist. In fact, that God of his is for weaklings.” So maybe, just maybe Jonah is thinking that he would rather not look like a foolish God fearing man? Is he angry for self preservation? Is this what “being ashamed of the gospel” might look like today?
I loved Jonah 1, Jonah ran away, God gave him a task to do and he messed up he didn’t want to do it so he ran away and got on a boat where he met those sailors. On that boat the sailors witnessed God and got saved. God used Jonah’s mistakes to save even more people. I love how that translates into our lives today although we make mistakes we can rest assured that God can still use us and his power is made perfect in our weakness!
I really loved Acts today! Can you imagine that you’re in jail, in shackles and all of the sudden, your chains are broken and you have a way to get out?? The jailor wakes up and thinks everyone has escaped and do you see the mercy of Paul? “Do not harm yourself- we are ALL here.” Isnt that a miracle? If even ONE of those prisoners had taken the opportunity to leave, that man would have been killed but by a miracle they all stayed. Every one of them. Even though they could have easily run. And why would they care what happened to the jailor? But instead they were all there AND Paul reassures him, essentially saving his life. Then, through Paul, Christ saves his immortal one. I just think that’s a beautiful story and one that shows why it’s important to stay in communion with God. If they had just ran out when the jail opened, that man and his family might never have been saved but instead, despite the seemingly better circumstance (to escape) they stay and share. I hope I’m making sense here but that’s just amazing!
My husband preached on Jonah a few months back from the aspect of the sailors and the Ninevites. Both groups cried out and repented to God. However, the Hebrew word for “God” is different for both. The sailors cried out to the word that is always translated “Yahweh” and the people of Nineveh cried out using a word translated as Lord. He compared it to calling out to “big G” God versus a “little G” God. The sailors were truly repentant and even offered heartfelt sacrifices. The people of Nineveh were repenting out of fear and not from a changed heart. Their outward appearance of repentance was only for show. Nineveh wasn’t truly repentant and eventually resorted back to their old ways and were destroyed. I desire to be like one of the sailors and have a truly repentant attitude.
I find that so interesting Steph because doesn’t it say that God saw they were repentant and had mercy? Maybe they failed again over time but I think they were truly repentant then at least. Otherwise it wouldn’t have mattered to God. Maybe? Just my thoughts
How beautiful that God is so full of grace and mercy. No matter how many times we stray, He is waiting with loving and open arms to welcome us back in to fellowship with Him when we repent.
I grew up in the Church and have heard the story of Noah so many times, but never the story of the plant. My heart is moved right now. I love love love that. God is so gracious.
I am just playing catch up so I read Sunday’s Psalm 103-104 with today’s Jonah–Ladies, you should re-read Psalm 103 with Jonah in mind! God is awesome!
I was hit by the power of God. Jonah tried to run but God’s way prevailed. I wonder what things I am running from but need to submit to the Lords will.
Jonah 1:10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
Today is another reminder to be slow to anger and quick to turn to the guidance of the Lord. Jonah pulled from Him at times of difficulty when those were the times he should have worked to draw nearer – no one wants to end up in the belly of a fish, right?
I’ve read this book numerous times, but today I was struck by the plant. How awesome would that have been to see, springing up and growing into a shade cover in just a few hours! and then dying just as quickly the next day. If God cares that much for the comfort of an obstinate prophet, how much will He care about me, who can be just as obstinate?
I quite like Jonah – I find him so melodramatic and also quite funny (see chapter 4:2,3,9) But I also thought him to be un-relatable. Then I realised that I can be just like him – quick to run away yet feel betrayed of some sorts when I feel that my own version of justice (I.e. The bad being punished) is not what God does. As Jonah says himself, ‘God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love’ (4:2) which He showed to every prisoner and also the prison guard in Acts. This makes me appreciate the truly loving God that I serve.
(Also I love how God speaks to Jonah as if he were a child – soft and slow to make Jonah understand). God bless ladies xx
Whoa. This is good, Grace! I am so often a Jonah too, and if I’m honest, there’s that desire in me to see people who have wronged me/others to “get what they deserve.” Today, I’m praying for God to give me a softer heart and more love for mercy than vengeance. Thanks for your thoughts!
10And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”
God is the one who toils and works to build others. We need to pray for others and be slower to judge them based on what we think is right or what should happen in any situation. God is good all the time!
I was hit by the same verses but I thought, wow Jonah had pity for a plant but not for people! I think he was a racist, and I don’t use that term lightly. He didn’t want the Ninevites to be spared, he wanted God to smite them. But God is so gracious, He desires that all would come to repentance.
He pursues us. He is compassionate and merciful and has a plan for our lives.
❤️
❤️
Thank You Jesus ♥️
Very well said, thanks for pointing out the parallels…
Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into Prison for sharing the gospel. And, he and Silas sat in prison and prayed and sang hymns. They were encouraging themselves in their faith, turning to God, loving God in the middle of what can only be described as discouraging and completely disheartening circumstances (I mean, understatement here). It reminds me that I am also called to do the same—I wonder if these very circumstances are what inspired Paul to write Philippians 4, “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. I say it again, REJOICE.” He goes on to instruct to not be anxious about ANYTHING but pray about EVERYTHING, with petitions and thanksgiving. Jesus, help me to do the same. Help me to remember to take joy in You and give everything over to You.
✅
✝️
31And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Not only do Paul and Silas keep their jailer from killing himself, but they also bring him and his entire family to know God and be baptized. God is so awesome.
7When my life was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
and my prayer came to you,
into your holy temple. -ellie
What God does in Jonah for Nineveh is such an amazing prophetic vision of what He will do through Christ for us!!
What a contrast between Jonah and Paul and Silas!
Jonah, once finally where God wanted him, spoke the words that he was supposed to, but with out the right spirit. He wanted to see God destroy a great city with thousands of people in it.
Paul and Silas went into a city where they weren’t welcomed and cared deeply for the souls of the people there, and was a witness to all that were there and saw a whole family come to Christ as a result.
Jonah gives us the stark contrast of fickle, selfish, and grumbling man against the patient, sovereign, compassion of God.
first one done! yay me
What stuck out to me today was the parallels between these two passages and how attitude made a big difference. Jonah’s cell is the belly of a whale. He got their by disobeying God, but God shows him mercy and frees him. Then he’s angry and sulky and upset that God saved an entire group of people. Paul’s cell is an actual cell. Despite being harmed and thrown in after obeying God’s mission(s) for him, he doesn’t get upset at his circumstances. But God still shows him His mercy and frees him, in the process saving his jailer and his family. Paul never gets upset at God for being thrown in jail, he just asks for an apology from the people who did it! I feel these two passages show us that God loves us so much that he’ll always take care of us – whether we’re being brats or obedient children. However, how much better trials will be if we have the attitude of Paul compared to Jonah. Paul’s heart was open to the miraculous wonders of God saving people and was even blessed by them! Jonah shut his eyes to that miracle of 120,000 and instead of being blessed was scorched. What a good lesson to keep seeking God.
Love this! Thanks for sharing
Great point of view! Thank you for spending the time to share with us!
A bit behind the rest of you. I love starting my morning in God’s word.
I think it’s cool how God is constantly shaping us for the better. When He sends trials and hardship, it’s all for our good (which means being closer to God). The book of Job is also a good example of this. In that one though, Job accepted every tragedy with understanding. But more often I feel like Jonah where as he complained and ran away. Just an interesting thought though that all of God’s work is purposeful in some way or another- even if we don’t understand.
I totally understand you Veronique! Can I just say tho. don’t worry about being a “better Christian”. It is not a coincidence that you know who God is! He has become present in your life for a reason! Not because of anything you’ve done, but only because He wants you and has chosen you! Your salvation and the love God has for you does not depend on your work! Jesus has already done the work for you! I encourage you to read your bible, not to become a “better” Christian, but to get to know Him more and by getting to know Him more it’ll help you to see how great, how vast God’s love is for you!
I never read past the fish part of Jonah, but then again i never really read my bible. It sat on my shelf collecting dust as a trophy of being a Christian when I allowed my flame to wither and fade … recently I started praying again and went to church again( the first time in years) . I can see myself as Jonah i tend to see more wonders every day but i have caught myself being afraid of my religion in public its as if i have something to be afraid of if my religion doesn’t match the religion of the person im talking to… maybe its because im young and inexperienced. But i know that i can be a better Christian… ive been constantly crying these past days and im super emotional I even went as far as denying my Lord when i was questioned about it and im sooo ashamed
It’s hard being new in your faith! I get nervous talking to people about being a Christian because I don’t want to stumble or mislead anyone. All I can say is pray!! Pray and read your Bible. Study what you can. You will be amazed one day when you feel more confident. Also- talk to your new pastor, they might be able to guide you. I pray it gets easier for you ❤️
Thank you ❤️️
I totally understand you Veronique! Can I just say tho. don’t worry about being a “better Christian”. It is not a coincidence that you know who God is! He has become present in your life for a reason! Not because of anything you’ve done, but only because He wants you and has chosen you! Your salvation and the love God has for you does not depend on your work! Jesus has already done the work for you! I encourage you to read your bible, not to become a “better” Christian, but to get to know Him more and by getting to know Him more it’ll help you to see how great, how vast God’s love is for you!
Thank you Tammy! Your prayers mean a lot to me
Stephanie I am praying that God will show Himself to you in very specific, personal ways today. He made you, He loves you, He sees you, He knows you.
Thank you ladies, I know your prayers worked. I talked to my husband about my feelings which was so helpful. It reminded me of how much my mindset has changed since I have moved toward a more Christ centered life. I just need to keep pushing through and share my feelings with others and not let them sit on my chest.
Stephanie I am praying that God will show Himself to you in very specific, personal ways today. He made you, He loves you, He sees you, He knows you.
Stephanie I too am in prayer for you. When you are discouraged just cry out to Jesus
If anyone sees this, I could use some prayers and advice. I have been reading the bible daily and trying to make God the center of my life for about three years now. I grew up in a faith community but never bought into it. As a adult, I decided that I wanted to try Christianity again and learn more. Sometimes I really think I “get it” and others I am left feeling so frustrated and upset wondering if what I’m even putting all of this time into is real. I have prayed “lord help my unbelief” so many times it almost seems to have lost its meaning. I’m going around in circles. Thanks for your prayers ladies.
Stephanie, I’m praying for you! God is certainly real, and He will help you through this. Don’t give up your faith! Pray constantly whenever you have feelings of doubt. You don’t have to hide or filter your frustration from God. Put it in His hands! Ask Him why, ask Him about things you don’t understand, ask Him to help you in times of need. Just draw near to Him no matter how you feel. He will bring you through! ❤️
Do you guys think Jonah ends not after Gods own heart? he seems to have resentment… or am i reading it wrong?
Just skimming a commentary on Jonah and this stuck out to me regarding Jonah’s second prayer (when he is upset with the Lord):
“He prayed unto the Lord, but it is a very awkward prayer, not like that which he prayed in the fish’s belly; for affliction teaches us to pray submissively, which Jonah now forgot to do. Being in discontent, he applied to the duty of prayer, as he used to do in his troubles, but his corruptions got head of his graces, and, when he should have been praying for benefit by the mercy of God himself, he was complaining of the benefit others had by that mercy. Nothing could be spoken more unbecomingly.” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/jonah/4.html)
Oh Jonah. YOU ARE ALL OF US. I’m an emotional person and I read Jonah a few years ago thinking “I’m nothing like Jonah.” Oh how wrong I was. I love this book so much because Jonah is up and down and back and forth and all over the map. And yet…God uses him mightily and this story is included in the Bible for a reason. The contrast between Jonah’s two prayers is a template for me to search my heart in the midst of my own prayers. Do I pray like Jonah in the belly? Or do I pray like the angry sulky Jonah? So much to learn from Jonah.
Wow. This is good stuff. Thanks so much for taking the time to share it!
Why do you think he was so upset witnessing God’s mercy on the Ninevites? Because he was a man of justice? Was there a personal grudge against them, like “they’re not getting what they deserve!”
I’m wondering if Jonah is so upset because if God relents and doesn’t destroy Ninevah, which it appears Jonah thinks might happen bc he knows God is merciful (acc to 4:2) then Jonah will look like a fool… like a God follower freak who thinks he’s bringing a true message but who is crazy. In fact, many of the naysayers in Ninevah might say “That guys an idiot, God didn’t do anything to us… Never will, never would bc He doesn’t exist. In fact, that God of his is for weaklings.” So maybe, just maybe Jonah is thinking that he would rather not look like a foolish God fearing man? Is he angry for self preservation? Is this what “being ashamed of the gospel” might look like today?
I loved Jonah 1, Jonah ran away, God gave him a task to do and he messed up he didn’t want to do it so he ran away and got on a boat where he met those sailors. On that boat the sailors witnessed God and got saved. God used Jonah’s mistakes to save even more people. I love how that translates into our lives today although we make mistakes we can rest assured that God can still use us and his power is made perfect in our weakness!
I love this. What an encouragement!
Yes!! SO good!!
I really loved Acts today! Can you imagine that you’re in jail, in shackles and all of the sudden, your chains are broken and you have a way to get out?? The jailor wakes up and thinks everyone has escaped and do you see the mercy of Paul? “Do not harm yourself- we are ALL here.” Isnt that a miracle? If even ONE of those prisoners had taken the opportunity to leave, that man would have been killed but by a miracle they all stayed. Every one of them. Even though they could have easily run. And why would they care what happened to the jailor? But instead they were all there AND Paul reassures him, essentially saving his life. Then, through Paul, Christ saves his immortal one. I just think that’s a beautiful story and one that shows why it’s important to stay in communion with God. If they had just ran out when the jail opened, that man and his family might never have been saved but instead, despite the seemingly better circumstance (to escape) they stay and share. I hope I’m making sense here but that’s just amazing!
I totally agree! This story has been one of my favorites ever since I read it for the first time- Paul’s grace is amazing to me
My husband preached on Jonah a few months back from the aspect of the sailors and the Ninevites. Both groups cried out and repented to God. However, the Hebrew word for “God” is different for both. The sailors cried out to the word that is always translated “Yahweh” and the people of Nineveh cried out using a word translated as Lord. He compared it to calling out to “big G” God versus a “little G” God. The sailors were truly repentant and even offered heartfelt sacrifices. The people of Nineveh were repenting out of fear and not from a changed heart. Their outward appearance of repentance was only for show. Nineveh wasn’t truly repentant and eventually resorted back to their old ways and were destroyed. I desire to be like one of the sailors and have a truly repentant attitude.
I find that so interesting Steph because doesn’t it say that God saw they were repentant and had mercy? Maybe they failed again over time but I think they were truly repentant then at least. Otherwise it wouldn’t have mattered to God. Maybe? Just my thoughts
I agree. After all, God looks at the heart.
How beautiful that God is so full of grace and mercy. No matter how many times we stray, He is waiting with loving and open arms to welcome us back in to fellowship with Him when we repent.
I grew up in the Church and have heard the story of Noah so many times, but never the story of the plant. My heart is moved right now. I love love love that. God is so gracious.
I am just playing catch up so I read Sunday’s Psalm 103-104 with today’s Jonah–Ladies, you should re-read Psalm 103 with Jonah in mind! God is awesome!
I was hit by the power of God. Jonah tried to run but God’s way prevailed. I wonder what things I am running from but need to submit to the Lords will.
Amen sister! Same here
Jonah 1:10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
Today is another reminder to be slow to anger and quick to turn to the guidance of the Lord. Jonah pulled from Him at times of difficulty when those were the times he should have worked to draw nearer – no one wants to end up in the belly of a fish, right?
I’ve read this book numerous times, but today I was struck by the plant. How awesome would that have been to see, springing up and growing into a shade cover in just a few hours! and then dying just as quickly the next day. If God cares that much for the comfort of an obstinate prophet, how much will He care about me, who can be just as obstinate?
Good thought!
I quite like Jonah – I find him so melodramatic and also quite funny (see chapter 4:2,3,9) But I also thought him to be un-relatable. Then I realised that I can be just like him – quick to run away yet feel betrayed of some sorts when I feel that my own version of justice (I.e. The bad being punished) is not what God does. As Jonah says himself, ‘God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love’ (4:2) which He showed to every prisoner and also the prison guard in Acts. This makes me appreciate the truly loving God that I serve.
(Also I love how God speaks to Jonah as if he were a child – soft and slow to make Jonah understand). God bless ladies xx
Whoa. This is good, Grace! I am so often a Jonah too, and if I’m honest, there’s that desire in me to see people who have wronged me/others to “get what they deserve.” Today, I’m praying for God to give me a softer heart and more love for mercy than vengeance. Thanks for your thoughts!
10And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”
God is the one who toils and works to build others. We need to pray for others and be slower to judge them based on what we think is right or what should happen in any situation. God is good all the time!
I was hit by the same verses but I thought, wow Jonah had pity for a plant but not for people! I think he was a racist, and I don’t use that term lightly. He didn’t want the Ninevites to be spared, he wanted God to smite them. But God is so gracious, He desires that all would come to repentance.