Grace Day

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Jonah 2:5-7

Text: Jonah 2:5-7

Take time today to rest in the knowledge of God’s boundless grace and reflect on Scripture below.

The waters engulfed me up to the neck;
the watery depths overcame me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
I sank to the foundations of the mountains;
the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever!
But You raised my life from the Pit, Lord my God!
As my life was fading away,
I remembered Yahweh.
My prayer came to You,
to Your holy temple.
-Jonah 2:5-7 HCSB

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45 thoughts on "Grace Day"

  1. Cassidy F says:

    he is faithful to rescue us from the despair, the mess, the trouble that this world brings and that we so often I cause in our own lives. he is always faithful. troubles

  2. Fran says:

    No matter how deep we dig our pit, God is always on the bottom waiting to bring us back up. There’s no place His grace can’t reach. Praise God for His overflowing love for us.

  3. Jordan says:

    This is my need. I always feel like I’m doing something wrong when I remember that this is why God came. For the sick. For the broke. I am that

  4. Julie says:

    What strikes me is how welcoming it can be to sink into these dangerous depths without even realising it and yet, but God, can rescue you and show His grace even if u welcome it. Blessed Lord. Thank u for your frequent and most timely grace.

  5. Charlotte Buckle says:

    This verse touch my heart. I feel that at some point, all of us have been in this vulnerable state. I have and still have those days, weeks or months where I am just lost and things feel like they are piling on top of me or time is running out, but the Lord always catches me when I fall.

    Thank you, Lord for never leaving me! :)

  6. leah says:

    When all I wanted to do was die
    To give into the deep black darkness of the grave
    The tomb awaited for me, it’s doors open wide
    With nothing to live for convinced my fate was to stumble inside

    BUT You caught me
    You brought my soul up from the pit and kept me alive

    Lord I am so amazed by you thank you for this reminder xx

    1. Annie says:

      I loved reading this testimony. Great is thy faithfulness, Oh God our Father!

      1. Christina says:

        I agree, this is poetic and encouraging. Thanks for sharing.

      2. leah says:

        hiya thank you so much I enjoy sharing written pieces from my heart it’s a gift I’m so grateful for

  7. Kathy says:

    I may not literally be at the bottom of the ocean, covered in seaweed but these verses perfectly describe what sin does to my life. “Yet You, O God…” I love all the “yet God” and “But, God” in the Bible. He will rescue me when I cry out. I am so thankful for His grace and mercy.
    I would also like to share what happened yesterday. One of the questions in the reading said, “where and to who is God calling you today.” As I prayed that pray the name of one of the ladies I teach with kept popping into my head. And here’s the thing…she teaches in another department, in another building and we never see each other so we are more business acquaintances than anything else. To be honest we really have no relationship at all other than teaching in the same school. Anyway, I felt that I needed to pray for her and that I needed to write her a note and tell her that I had prayed for her. I am not a note-writing person. I think about it a lot but never seem to carry through on it. This time I did. Last night I got a message from her through Facebook thanking me for praying for her and telling me how timely my prayer and note was. She said that she had been really struggling with an issue and just the night before had come to the realization of what she needed to do. She said that my prayer and note just solidified what she felt she was supposed to do.
    I am so thankful that God pushed me (and He pushed hard yesterday) and that this time I was obedient. Thanks for letting me share. Have a blessed weekend. It’s beautiful here in Georgia.

    1. Nicole says:

      Awesome testimony, thanks for sharing! Your obedience is radiating

  8. Brenda Sue says:

    Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    I am so grateful that Father God has provided a way through His mercy and grace for us to be reconciled. I am in awe of how His mercy is given out with each and everyday as He provides people with another chance to accept Him as their Savior and repent.

  9. Marlaena says:

    The first few verses really spoke to me because like Churchmouse said, what a visual! I have no problem with swimming where I know I can quickly hold on to something or touch the bottom but I am not a strong swimmer so going underwater forcefully or not by my own doing is terrifying. As is seaweed. I have had nightmares about seaweed and it is a really strong fear of mine. BUT when we call out to God, even in the midst of the most terrifying of ordeals, He will come and rescue us. How wonderful is that!?

  10. Churchmouse says:

    In the watery pit and with seaweed on his head (what a visual!), Jonah remembered the Lord. Oh that I would do the same! So grateful for those around me (SRT sisters included) who help me in the remembering. Also grateful that, when I’m under the deep waters and all I can utter is “Help!”, He is there to rescue.

    1. Kim says:

      The seaweed visual has me thinking of what “seaweed” I’ve got wrapped around my head and in my life tying me up to keep from swimming to the Lord. Praise Him that He comes when we call on Him!!!

  11. Joy says:

    Hillsong united has a song called “even when it hurts” that has been playing through my heart all week. Sitting with my suffering mother and grieving with my family I’m so aware that, in the trials, sometimes all we have left to give is a sacrifice of praise. “Even when the fight seems lost, I’ll praise You. Even when it hurts like hell, I’ll praise You. Even when it makes no sense to sing, Louder then I’ll sing Your praise”

    1. Churchmouse says:

      Praying for you and your family this morning as you walk through this dark valley. May you feel the Light of His love holding you

    2. Jaclyn says:

      This scripture came to mind as soon as I woke up this morning: “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” It always amazes me how quickly our perspectives and atmospheres immediately change when we obey scripture. Prayers for you during this time!!!

    3. Michele says:

      Prayers for you all this day…

    4. Joanna says:

      Praying for your mother and entire family, Joy.

    5. Megan says:

      Joy, praying for you and your family. A song that came to mind for you, it’s called “praise you in the storm” by casting crowns. I highly encourage you to listen to it. Very powerful!

  12. Hallie says:

    The way God shows us how intensely personal he is towards us he calls us out and calls us him!! He is the creator over us and Lord over all and he still call us his!! He brings us out of the waters into his arms!!!

    1. Jill says:

      Yes, love this.

  13. Louise says:

    I’m still in the pit but I know God hears my prayers, I have faith that He has a plan for these struggles.

    1. JoAn says:

      I was in the pit of despair for many years over a son with addictions. Though I am out of the pit now, I remember what it felt like. God has your hand and indeed He does have a plan for you. By the way, my son still has addictions and now I am raising his children, so my situation hasn’t changed a lot, but I am out of the pit of despair and God is good.

      1. Churchmouse says:

        Grateful that your grandchildren are under your Godly influence. Praying for your son to break free and also strength for you

    2. Churchmouse says:

      Thankful that you are holding hard to God’s hand. Praying for you

  14. Becky says:

    As I was reflecting on this, I couldn’t help but think of the hymn by Philip P. Bliss that ends each stanza with “Hallelujah, what a Savior”. Here are the lyrics:

    “Man of Sorrows!” what a name
    For the Son of God, who came
    Ruined sinners to reclaim.
    Hallelujah! What a Savior!

    Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
    In my place condemned He stood;
    Sealed my pardon with His blood.
    Hallelujah! What a Savior!

    Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
    Spotless Lamb of God was He;
    “Full atonement!” can it be?
    Hallelujah! What a Savior!

    Lifted up was He to die;
    “It is finished!” was His cry;
    Now in Heav’n exalted high.
    Hallelujah! What a Savior!

    When He comes, our glorious King,
    All His ransomed home to bring,
    Then anew His song we’ll sing:
    Hallelujah! What a Savior!

    *that middle verse got to me this morning…on our own we’re guilty, helpless, vile creatures…but God comes in and rescues and redeems us and cleanses us and calls us His own and draws us near to Himself. This morning, I’m praising God alongside Jonah, that He would reach down into my mess and redeem me!

    1. Churchmouse says:

      Aren’t the hymns of old (and yes many contemporary songs as well) just full of solid theology? I love taking the time to slowly read every verse. Thank you for posting this one

  15. Tricia says:

    Thank you Lord for rescuing me!

  16. Rachel says:

    Please pray for Chris seriously ill in hospital after a heart attack, and for his wife Alison. Although it seems as though they are in the watery depths, yet will they give praise to our great God who never leaves us or forsakes us.

    1. Christy says:

      Praying! For healing and peace.

    2. Churchmouse says:

      Praying right now for these folks, that they will feel God’s presence and experience His healing hand.

    3. Joanna says:

      Praying for Chris and Allison.

  17. Megan says:

    “Your grace is enough for me” Jesus all we need is your grace and nothing else. Thank you that you will never leave us nor forsake us, even if we try to run away from you and your calling on our life. The bible reminds us of this over and over again. It’s amazing how much you love us and you know each and every one of our hearts.

  18. Sarah says:

    Even when we give up and run away God has a plan. Our great weakness isn’t too much for his great grace. There’s no place we can be that he won’t hunt us down. The second we cry to him he is already there. He lifts us out of our mess. What amazing humility to reach out to us again and again in our failures. He doesn’t get angry and go on a rant. He quietly lifts us up and puts us on our feet again.

  19. Jes says:

    Jonah ‘s own dark unwilling heart couldn’t separate him from God. God listened to jonah’s single prayer and he reached out and saved him. God knows every tiny moment that our heart turns to him and he listens. God keeps reaching and saving me again and again. He is the God who sees and hears and rescues. What a kind savior I have.

    1. Michelle says:

      Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even Jonahs (my) dark heart. Love this and will ponder it to day!

    2. Jaclyn says:

      I love this!! Thank you for sharing!!

  20. Katie says:

    He brings hope when it seems all hope is lost. How awesome is it that the same God who heard Jonah, hears me.

    1. candacejo says:

      Amen! Comforting thought ♥

      1. R L Stevens says:

        I love that we can put our hope in the Lord!! He is the God who can do even more than we can ask or even imagine! Thx for your great insight!