Text: Jonah 2:1-10, Psalm 88:4-5, Psalm 88:10–12, Hebrews 4:16
This is part of a 7-day series on Jonah in the Lent 2016 reading plan.
The last thing I wanted to do was pray.
Weeks after my college graduation I was diagnosed with depression. It came crashing in like Jonah’s storm, and without much warning I found myself in the pit. Maybe you’ve been there too—in that place you can’t quite explain, marked by sorrow and shame. I had been walking with Jesus for most of my life, but I had lost all hope. I was caught in a tangle of darkness and despair.
A friend encouraged me to press into Jesus. I wondered if I still knew what that meant.
I was so painfully lost in shame and confusion that even the thought of picking up my Bible caused a wave of emotion I couldn’t bear to face. A part of me knew my friend was right: I needed Jesus more than anything, especially in the pit. But the lies were screaming at me so loudly, drowning out my best intentions, even turning my sorrow into physical pain. I just couldn’t drag myself into His presence.
I wonder if Jonah shared in those same feelings of despair. He knew his sin had caused the storm, but I wonder if he thought the fish was how God was going to end his life.
Jonah was in the pit—quite literally in the depths. He was at the bottom of the ocean, inside a beast. Yet Jonah prayed from inside the fish, from the lowest of lows.
But did Jonah want to pray? Did he sit there pouting for two-and-a-half days and then finally admit his mistake, only to be immediately spit out on dry land? Or did he call on the Lord right away, then wait in silence for three days? Did Jonah pray because he felt his own brokenness, or just because that’s what a good Jewish man ought to do?
Whether out of contrition or habit, whether upon entering the pit or on his way out—Jonah called out to the Lord. And then something remarkable happened:
“I called to the LORD in my distress, and He answered me.”
-Jonah 2:2 (emphasis mine)
The God who heard Jonah’s cry hears yours and mine—no matter the pit we find ourselves in and no matter how we got there. The God of the incarnation, who took on flesh to rescue His people—that God always comes after us. He uses whatever means necessary to bring us out of the pit, even if that pit is the stomach of a huge fish.
Like the Lord pulled Jonah out of that fish and onto dry land, God pulled me up out of my own pit, one slow inch at a time. In time I was able to turn to Him in prayer. Painful though the process was, my only regret is that I didn’t call out to Him sooner.
Have you ever wondered if the Lord’s hand can reach as far as you’ve fallen?
Read Jonah’s story and have hope. God truly is faithful. He never gives up on us. Whether you’re new to the pit or you’ve been waiting on His deliverance for some time, approach His throne with the confidence that He hears you and will answer you (Hebrews 4:16). The God who left heaven to pursue you and rose from the pit to redeem you has not forgotten you. Thanks be to God.
“But You raised my life from the Pit, LORD my God!”
-Jonah 2:6
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113 thoughts on "Jonah’s Prayer"
Often the pit of our lives become a dwelling place. Our situations seem to embody our spirits. Let us not lose the faith or hope, but cry out to God. How thankful I am on knowing He is there and He will answer. There’s no pit too deep that can’t pluck us out of.
Thanks SRT and Missy for this post. I’m late but I’m also apparently right on time–I just started taking medicine for my depression this morning, so this feels particularly relevant today. I’ve dealt with depression since I was 13 years old. I’m 26. I can remember not wanting to go to middle school because I felt so alone there. Anyway, I’m refreshed to read that God answers prayers, even the same prayers I’ve been praying since I was young. He will answer and He will bring me out of the depths even though the depths feel way too deep to hear Him or feel His presence. To Him be the glory.
God’s timing is always perfect :) sending you my love and prayers.
This is truelly powerful,I myself find myself in a pit this morning. I didnt have hope or believe that the Lord can rescue or save me. Now i am reading this…on my way to work…In a taxi full of people but i can barely keep the tears off my eyes. I am amazed at how much the Lord truely and truely love us. I mean i say it all the time but how much understanding do i really and honestly give to the statement?!. Im in awe of The Lord this morning,A friend shared this with me and it couldnt have come in the right time. Thank you *tear*
*Missy (darn autocorrect!)
Thank you, Misty, for sharing your heart. Too often I hold back from sharing about my own experience with depression out of fear of burdening others. What a beautiful message of hope you’ve given me today. Depression ebbs and flows in my life, but God’s presence sustains me always.
This is my first time to ever post a comment, though I do read through them. I’m always amazed that I’m not alone in the ways I think or feel at times.
I was moved to do this study, never really knowing what lent was about. I grew up in Foursquare churches my whole life.
To be honest… This is exactly where I am today. Depressed, in the bottom of the pit, ashamed for being here again, not able to bring myself, yet again to the feet of Jesus. Other than reading this study, that’s been the extent of spending time in the word or with God. I feel after years of doing things my way, knowing full well it never works, I run back to God and yes, He’s always been faithful. But now, I feel hopeless. I feel like a joke. Why would, after time & time again, of God showing me His goodness, faithfulness, grace, mercy, & patience EVERYTIME, would He want to go through again! We’ve been here a million times. By now, I certainly should get it! I struggle & I don’t have what it takes today to even pray.
But reading this tonight assures me, I’m not alone. So thank you for sharing your story.
Shannon, God is so very faithful! Praying for you!! :)
I have gone through those emotions too, not even feeling worthy to walk into church because if anyone really knew what had happened that morning, they wouldn’t/they couldn’t want me there…but it is just not true! I can’t believe those lies, but must take those thoughts captive to the Lord and remind myself that the Bible calls me a co-heir with Christ, holy and without blemish. Saying a prayer for you, for us xoxo
Jonah turns to prayer. The importance and power of prayer is something God has been teaching me since September when War Room came out. Prayer should be my first response, not my last- not even my second. The first thing. Need to cry out to my Savior in the pits and on the mountains. Never want to be loving the gifts more than the Giver! He alone is where joy comes from! So thankful my Jesus keeps me anchored in His purpose, peace, and love.
SRT, thanks for researching such a perfect hymn. I learned today that Cowper also dealt with severe bouts of depression and thoughts of suicide. Knowing he went through this and singing the words he penned is pretty powerful. The fountain that we stand under and are washed clean isn’t water…it’s the fountain of blood that poured from “Immanuel’s veins.” Beautiful and humbling.
“I called to the LORD in my distress, and He answered me.” -Jonah 2:2 (emphasis mine)
The God who heard Jonah’s cry hears yours and mine—no matter the pit we find ourselves in and no matter how we got there. The God of the incarnation, who took on flesh to rescue His people—that God always comes after us. He uses whatever means necessary to bring us out of the pit, even if that pit is the stomach of a huge fish”
For such a time as this! I’m in a pit of despair about job searching. And this is Gods truth! He hears my cries and he will bring me from the pit. I needed to hear this today ❤️
This really helped me to grow in the understanding of how to approach With Confidence. What an amazing concept. I love how each word of Scripture has such depth and can impart so much to us!
Two years ago I was diagnosed with anxiety. I had panic attacks, anxiety attacks, crazy outburst of emotion. I had no idea what was going on with myself. I wanted to go back to church but I felt like the one I was raised in suddenly wasn’t my church anymore. I tried to find the one for me and when I did I cried during the first sermon. My parents found out that it wasn’t a Catholic Church but a Christian one. I was told that if I continued to go to that church I wouldn’t be considered part of the family. I am still torn to this day on what to do. I felt whole when I was there. I felt his presence. I felt my anxiety melt away at the door. I feel a pull to go back to that specific church. But I can’t help but weigh the option of losing family over it. I pray every night that I am forgiven for my lack of going to church. It truly eats away at me. I just wished my parents would understand.
Hey Nicole! I have never posted any comments on SRT but felt the spirit leading to post a reply to you tonight! I just want you to know that I am praying that you will have wisdom beyond your years. I believe that a large part of following Christ is that we seek HIS approval over man’s and that is something I am working on daily! Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” I cannot imagine the decision your having to face right now, but the Lord knows your heart. I pray that He softens your families hearts so that they understand. And above everything, I pray you follow His leading. Much love- Katie
Hi Katie, thank you so much for your reply. It touches my heart knowing I have sisters here that will openly pray for me. I cannot thank you enough for your kind words and the joy they give my soul. I downloaded this app to be able to feel closer to God and closer to those who hold the same beliefs that I do. And so far I’ve been so pleased. I truly believe this app has helped me grow closer to God in my own way.
Nicole this touched my heart this morning. I am praying that your family’s hearts will soften as they see the changes in you brought about by the Lord. Also (on a practical note) have you looked into “attending” a church online similar to the one you felt so welcomed at? NorthPointonline.tv and crosspoint.tv are two that are really wonderful.
Hi Katie, thank you for your kind words. I have not looked into an online church but that seems like the perfect solution right now! Thank you again. Xoxoxo
Katie, I will be praying for you. I encourage you to listen to the messages at Watermark church (www.watermark.org/fort-worth/resources/messages
Nicole, I too found myself dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. It started in June and finally on Christmas Eve I found hope again. I don’t know what happened but all of a sudden I felt peace! I admit that everyday I make the choice to seek the Lord in ALL things. I am still haunted by the fear of falling into the pit again but I am given the grace to set my eyes on what brings me joy and I seem to get the strength, my daily bread, to enjoy the gift of the present. I am Catholic and during what I call my “journey back to peace”, the only place I was truly relaxed was in church. There, my heart stopped racing, my mouth was less dry, my mind was at rest. I would stare up at the crucifix and just be. If it wasn’t for my husband and children I probably would have moved in (ha!). As a Catholic I can give you hundreds of ways the church can rescue you…confession, communion, Eucharistic adoration, the rosary… but it won’t matter. You need to find YOUR peace again. God is with us everywhere, Jesus is sitting right beside you and the Holy Spirit is ready to come alive again in you. Seek the Lord, wherever that may be.
I think I have fallen into the pit of depression throughout the past couple of months & didnt even realize it til now. My soul have been groaning for Jesus but I’ve been “too tired” or lazy or stressed to be in the word. I wake up everyday & call out His name but I feel like I just can’t rest in Him lately. I’m so glad I read today’s devotional. God is good always & I will continue to praise Him even in this pit. I know He will carry me. Please pray for me. Thanks
Hi sister! I feel the same way. Praying for you please pray for me! God will carry us!
always be so?
I, too, have known the very pits of depression… I felt so down that I didn’t think was any further down to go… Thankfully I had family and friends praying for me, and I found hope again. God is forever faithful and will
Thank you!
Praise the Lord for his faithfulness and all-consuming love! Four months after having my second child, my husband checked himself into a mental facility for a week due to unimaginable stress from a job he ended up losing. An entire week with a preschooler, an infant, and a husband at the very very bottom of the pit….I have never been more reliant on Jesus! There were days I would wake up and all I could do was whisper the name “Jesus”. Fellow she’s, women who know the dank darkness of depression and loneliness, be encouraged that the Lord does hear you. Just as he heard Jonah, and commanded the fish to vomit him out, he hears you and you can trust Him to deliver you to dry land, protected, loved, redeemed.
Prayed for you and your family this am
Almost like water upon a thirsting soul. I completely relate to this devotion, and thank you for taking time to share this. It has been a little over a year and seems like forever since my college graduation and I feel like I am finally gaining confidence. Sometimes the feelings of guilt for not picking up my Bible often enough are overwhelming, and there is an inexplicable fear that perhaps my hands are too stained in sin to turn its delicate pages. But something keeps urging me forward and reminds me that I cannot handle the frustrating, depressing, happy, and scary things on my own.
Thank you for this devotion and for the Hope that we have in God’s constant and relentless pursuit of us. I did have one question, in the devotion Missy compares her own experience to Jonah’s but she also includes this sentence, “I wonder if Jonah shared in those same feelings of despair. He knew his sin had caused the storm, but I wonder if he thought the fish was how God was going to end his life.” I can totally see the similarity in feelings of despair but from how I read this is she also implying that her own depression was a sin that caused a storm? It is quite clear that Jonah did not chose to follow God’s calling, but I don’t think that is the case for someone suffering from depression. Would love your input and claritity if I read this wrong or out of context. Thank you for this amazing Lent devotion. My husband and I have been really enjoying it. God bless.
When I was in the pit, I felt like I couldn’t turn to God and I had to pull myself out because I had put myself there. I had made mistakes, decisions I knew God wouldn’t have wanted to me to make, and I felt too ashamed to turn to Him. I thought He wouldn’t help me. I was wrong. I wish I had held fast to him and seen myself as He did and healed through His love and mercy. Next time I find myself in the pit, I hope I will
How did He take you out of the pit?
I can think of three specific times that I was “in the pit”, and the amazing thing was, I didn’t always call out to God for His mercy. There were times I struggled in that pit feeling very much alone, but He eventually found a way to raise me out of it, anyway. He instilled lessons and compassion in my heart for other people going through similar struggles, and I feel I am better and closer to Him because of it. Only in my most recent “pit” (my miscarriage in 2014) do I specifically remember praying and asking God for His strength to lead me through it, and since that time I have felt more focused on Him than ever before. It’s so amazing to me how He uses our darkest times to draw us closer and make us better, even when we don’t realize He is doing it! Thank you, God, for being faithful to us even when we are not faithful to You!
I find that when I am in the pits of my own making, my struggle is less about God not hearing me and more about me not listening. I can easily choose to passively blame God and avoid the real issues of my own wounded heart, OR I can remember that God is God and I am not. He is faithful to His character no matter what I am going through. He promises that He will be with me. And so He is with me, even when I can’t feel Him. He promises that He hears me. And so He hears me, even when I don’t see the answer I might be expecting. This is faith. Trusting Him above ALL else, especially more than my own expectations or my shifting emotions. And to keep drawing near to Him through prayer in my own stumbling, imperfect, sloppy way. As long as I am seeking Him FIRST, bringing my WHOLE heart to Him – He will meet me right there in that ugly mess I have made.
Oh, how He loves me. He loves us. I do not believe that He desires we dwell in our trials or sorrow, nor does He promise we can avoid these. He does tell us that in this world we will have trouble but to take heart, have courage because He has overcome it all (John 16:33). I am learning that the pits are humbling times that bring me closer to Him. Maybe that is the point. However long I am in the pit, He always sees me through it. And I know and believe that there is much to be learned from the pits. In my experience, I come out stronger in Him with a greater, clearer perspective.
Our struggles are but momentary in light of eternity. It is when I seek Him first and keep that eternal perspective that He brings such peace for my tattered heart. He is good, ladies. So good. His mercy and grace are amazing. Grateful.
So good. Thanks for this crucial reminder that we so easily forget!
Isn’t that the truth, Tarah?! The first line in my journal today was: “Lord, I am so terribly forgetful.” I needed my own reminder. And I do. Every day.
So grateful for your encouragement, Beverly!
xoxo-Kaitlin
One thing I have to shake is the idea of being “out of the pit” may not look exactly how I like (financial ease, well-behaved children, husband who is home a lot, time to myself, easy clients). Maybe out is still hard hard work but it’s the refreshment, the peace from his blood that makes it bearable. Praying for more of him, whether I see it as pit-free or not.
Yep, amen! In His Presence is fullness of joy!
This devotion is so encouraging. I know at times I feel overwhelmed with this life and all the demands of working, taking care of a child, and just finding some alone time. I struggle with the having the mindset that praying/reading my bible is something I have to do, like a chore, rather than thinking of it as something I GET to do. I have an amazing God who loves me and wants ME! For anyone struggling today, just remember: the same God who created the heavens and the earth, sunrises and sunsets, and EVERYTHING beautiful on this planet decided that the world needed YOU! How amazing is that? He CHOSE you! He chooses us every day, so that’s why I choose Him.
In a pit myself, my counselor recently told me, “Sometimes, Jamie, we want the deliverance more than we want the Father.”
I’ve called out to Him from the pit so often. And so often it feels as though He won’t respond. But I read this passage from Jonah and I’m comforted knowing that He hears and will respond. He’ll respond when I want Him more than the deliverance. Because He knows what’s best for me. And what’s best for me is all of Him.
Thanks for passing along your counselor’s words! In a pit myself and this rings true.
This is exactly, exactly, exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you. Thankthanyou.
Amen! So. Well. Said.
Wow, that is so insightful, Jamie. Thank you for sharing today, friend!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Wow Jamie, I really, really needed to hear this! Thank you for sharing!!!
Praying for you, Shelby! I found myself in that exact place not too long ago. Remember, “when we find ourselves in the pit, that’s when we need Jesus more than anything.” Pray!!
I feel so distant from God lately. Stress has me worn thin, and at the end of the day I feel like when I pray, those intense emotions aren’t there. I feel a bit ashamed, honestly, because why can’t I always open my heart to such a glorious God?
Reply below!!
Sorry, that link was funky. Let’s try this: https://awordthatmatters.wordpress.com/ agai2016/03/02/fishbowl-lies/again…
I have been depressed. After eight months of family and church conflict, I feel empty and broken and without hope. I know God loves me and I know he wants to work all of these things out. But sisters, what do we do when we have been crying out to him for months and months and things have only grown worse? I don’t know how to keep praying because deep down I don’t know if I believe anything is going to change. Lord help me.
May I suggest you get the devotional Streams in the Desert. I too have been walking through trials and situations that could leave me feeling far from the Lord and through this devotional God has shown me the growth and glory that come through these dark times. Brought me closer than I have ever been.
Courtney I encourage you to seek help … My son was in the pit with depression last year and a christian counsellor really helped him. When you can’t change your circumstances and you are being dragged under by them you need someone alongside you to hear your pain and encourage you. Church conflict is difficult to cope with … It tears us up because we are a body and it hurts when we are against each other. I pray God will heal your situations in your family and church.
Are you able to take time out from these conflicts? Watching my sons deep sadness I have great concern if people feel depressed but try to soldier on without help … I hope you have support people alongside you during this difficult time.
Praying for you today, sister! I have battled depression in its various stages and intensities multiple times in my life. It is so, so hard to believe when you’re at the very bottom that you’ll ever find yourself in the middle again, let alone at the top. If you have God in your mind at all during this time, you’re already ahead of where I was, because although I believed in God, I didn’t honestly seek His mercy from such an awful disease. I just foundered and felt very alone. But He has always pulled me out of it! If all you can do is speak His name, He will hear your heart and be with you, I truly believe. Try not to let the darkness overcome you. You are never alone!
That sounds so, so stressful- I’m so sorry. I’ve had family conflict to leave with with a terrible anxiety disorder (which put me in counseling, which was wonderful). I once heard a counseling professor say that depression = a blocked goal. So then one place to start is to think about what your goal is and pray about latching on to a new goal. Resolving conflict with family and church is a good goal, but maybe it’s not supposed to be the primary goal. Or maybe there are some deeper primary goals (like mine were) of image protection (I wanted everyone to like me all the time and perceive me as wise and good and mature…that’ll stress ya out quick, lemme tell ya). But if the goal is something like, say, loving God and loving those people (which real love is sometimes not that pleasant to the receiver in the moment, it can be wounding), then lesser goals can be unfulfilled or even thwarted and you’re still “okay”. All that to say, try some soul searching about what your goals are. They’re probably good goals. But maybe God would like to replace them with even better goals. And also, counseling is a wonderful gift from God in times like these!
Thank you Missy for this devotion. I really needed it! ❤️
This really spoke to me today. A friend of mine is struggling with being exhausted, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. My friend uses the word “empty” and that breaks my heart. I don’t know exactly how this person is feeling and I don’t know if I am right or not but it seems like this person needs to reevaluate their relationship with Jesus. Except I have told the this before and they didn’t do much. I need my friend to focus on their relationship with God and pray from the EMPTINESS because God is the only one that can truly fill that void.
Hey there. I can’t say that I know exactly how your friend is feeling. But I know that I struggle with some severe anxiety that often leaves me feeling emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted. Numb. Empty. And while both my head and heart know that Jesus is enough… that doesn’t always make the calling out any easier. When a friend would tell me to “press into Jesus,” I would think, “Yes, I know. But that’s one more thing I have to do.” And I had nothing left to do that one more thing. My margin was exhausted.
So maybe instead of having her reevaluate her relationship (giving her a task), flood her with verses about the character of God and how He helps (like Isaiah 41:13).
I liked what you said about praying from the emptiness. And trust me, I do. And I’m sure she does. But when you have no margin to feel, praying can seem futile. Because you feel nothing. And it feels as if he’s not responding. But as she’s encouraged by these verses about the God of Comfort and she realizes there is nothing that she has to do (because He said “It is finished), she’ll find that maybe the emptiness is fading a bit.
At least, that’s how it’s working for me. You’re a good friend. Perhaps God placed you in her life to pray for her when she can’t.
Your wisdom here is such a blessing to me. I have a friend whom I think would respond just as you suggested. Thank you for nudging me
I would love for you to join the discussion on Fishbowl Lies over at:
https://www.facebook.com/awordthatmatters/posts/752261708244101on Fistoday at:
Amen. So grateful that God hears my cries !
I have been at such low times that I find it hard to even pray, but I hope that the Lord brings this back to my mind during times like that because it encouraged me so much that if Jonah can pray in the state he was in, I can pray also. And why would I not pray if Jonah 2:2 says that He answered Jonah? He will do the same for me also.
I am struggling with this. I still find it hard to trust that God will take me from the pit, that my cry will be answered. My mind wonders “What about the Isrealites inslaved during the 400 years of wait for the exodus out of Egypt. I’m sure many faithful, lovers of God cried out with no answer or help from the pit. What about the millions living in poverty crying out for relief.”
If God is not bringing them out of the pit, why would He bring me out. What good is my cry to s sovereign God who has plans that don’t seem to include me?
I completely identify with these questions. It’s hard to see God sometimes in the midst of all of the hard and the crazy and the non-stop of some of our own suffering or in the suffering of those in the world that it seems like wont end. And sometimes I think the only thing we can ask ourselves when we feel that way, and the only question we can honestly bring before the Lord, is this: Does this mean that the Lord isn’t still Good? Even for those Israelites, even for the poor, even for me in this constant state of dissatisfaction at getting what I thought, is the Lord still good and who He says He is? And I think and I know from experience, that the Lord is always willing to wrestle with that question with us. And that is a grace and a mercy in and of itself. He’s a God that allows the wrestling, and this is a faith where doubt can make way to deeper faith. I’ll be praying for you and that you have courage to take all of your doubt and confusion and anger to Him, with all its barbs, and that those honest conversations make room for deeper intimacy with Him. Because they can.
I also don’t think that being “pulled from the pit” means everything has gotten all better. We can be pulled from the pit and still have cancer, still be divorced, still be financially wrecked – but being with God means we can have not even in those circumstances.
*joy. Not not ;)
I know exactly how you feel. I was going through a time where praying and crying out to God to me seemed useless. But my friend told me to download this app and I’ve started reading it. I like what I am learning so far and I’ve started praying again. Everything for me was done in baby steps. I downloaded this app back in 2015 I believe but I’m really just getting the hang of reading and praying. God loves us and He will never leave us or forsake us. He loves you and he wants you! It may not feel like He is with you or that He will not help you but He is there.
I’ve wondered that too, so many people are suffering. I believe God made us to be His hands and feet. So when we see suffering and people in distress it is for us to help them. Remember true religion is caring for the orphans and widows. I know that we can’t change poverty overnight but I do believe that it just starts with a single thought then it can blossom into something greater. Sorry I often go off on tangents but I hope I was able to help you a bit.
Beautiful song to listen to, the lyrics are so profound.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b25-LJjrGQA
Man, this post is so timely. Our life is kind of up in the air right now. Lots of things unresolved, a whole lot of waiting. And for some reason, its hard to read & open my Bible. But i know i must. What and Who else could possibly have my whole future mapped out and knows every part of me and my family’s? i can trust Jesus! and so, like Jonah, I’m going to pray and I’m going to go to His word — oh, where else could i go?!
Thank you so much for this message. Such an encouragement that He draws us near and it doesn’t always look the way we want it to. His relentless pursuit follows us into the pit and He is the light that meets us there but yes we get to choose to turn to Him. He is amazing!!
Sometimes or maybe most often times, we are prone to think that God only hears other people’s prayers.. The called like Jonah, the super saints like church leaders.. The pretty people or the popular.. But me? Who am I? A nobody from nowhere with no special calling on my life.. Culture has taught us that only important people are important and worthy of notice.. Let us get our minds out of the culture and be mindful of a God who knit us together in our mothers wombs.. He knows the number of hairs on our heads and catches our tears in a bottle.. He not only sees us He knows us intimately and He loves us as much as He loves the pastors and the Beth Moores of this day and age.. He is eagerly awaiting our prayers and He loved all of us nobody’s to death.. Literally.. So do not doubt your value to His heart and approach His throne boldly because He hears, He cares, He answers prayer for all of His children.
The God who left heaven to pursue you and rose from the pit to redeem you has not forgotten you. Thanks be to God.
AMEN!
So thankful that even when we are in a pit and dark trial He still hears us and knows our every need. Truly amazing to comprehend.
http://www.in-due-time.com
I have been in the pit more times than I care to remember. As I reflect back on these situations, I was like Peter I took my eyes off of the Savior and started sinking. Other times, God was the only anchor. So thankful for a loving God, who is watching, waiting, and ready to rescue when I call out. Have a blessed day!
Favorite entry thus far. Wow. SO encouraging, and so real. “Did he want to pray?” God answered him anyway.
I think he did want to pray because he called out in his distress. The pain had become great enough to precipitate that turning to God!
Can I just tell you how much I love what you have written? Thank you for your willingness to be transparent. Today after Super Tuesday, we need to fall on our knees and cry out to our God who hears us in our American pit.
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been there, too. The worst out ever. And the best restoration ever. And I know from the story that Jonah didn’t recover as a perfectly sinless human being, but he did move on, and know God more, and obey. It’s encouraging.
Did Jonah start to pray the minute he saw that gaping fish mouth opened wide? Did he pray more earnestly when the lips closed and he was behind those teeth? Did Jonah shout his prayer when the darkness and the smell and the sloshing (what is that against my leg?!?) closed in around him? Did Jonah despair after the first hour, the first day, the second, the third? When all hope seemed lost, when no rescue seemed imminent, is that when Jonah remembered Yahweh? The remembering made all the difference.
I pray that whether I’m on the highest mountain or in the deepest valley, I remember my God. Through study of His Word and honest prayer, I get to know Him, really know Him. And I learn I can trust Him. He is there. He is there. He is ever ready to rescue. It doesn’t matter how I got there or what I did, He is there and ready to save. I only call “Help!” and His arms wrap around me tight. I remember. He rescues. Praise God!
Amen. It’s encouraging to think that uttering a “help!” Is enough!
My own depression has left me in the pit lately, and it’s easy to withdraw from the world and into my own thoughts. Thank you for these words of hope. God is my saving grace, every day.
H
Please pray for me…I am struggling this too.
Praying!
Praying today for you – for relief, peace and perseverance!
Praying that TODAY you can put on the garments of joy instead of the spirit of heaviness. May God’s light break through any darkness surrounding you.
Thank you so much sisters!
“The God who left heaven to pursue you and rose from the pit to redeem you has not forgotten you.” What an amazing truth to remember! I am holding on to His promises. Thank you SRT for the reminder.
He will hear, He will come and He will rescue me even, or more likely because of, the mess I have made of my own doing. Thank you Jesus you rescue me from myself!
Please pray for me this week. Life has been good but difficult lately, having gone through a miscarriage a month ago and wrestling with a tough environment at work. God’s been bringing me hope in the middle of it, in the form of job postings in my field, but my confidence is so shaken that I’m having a really hard time writing applications and conveying my skills through words. Please pray for me- this devotional was very timely today.
Praying for you
Dear Meg, I’m so sorry about your loss. I have suffered two miscarriages myself and know the heartache they bring. I will be praying for both your job and your recovery after miscarriage. The Lord gave me this hope from the Psalms when I was going through similar things two years ago…”Oh Lord, you keep my lamp burning. My God turns my darkness into LIGHT! “
Praying for you, Meg!
Adding my prayers. God loves you and He will see you through.
Praying for you! I too suffered two miscarriages. The verse God gave me was Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God in whom I trust. May God give you the strength and confidence to write your applications.
There was a season that my own fear and running caused great storm in my life but I didn’t see it. I felt justified in my response because of the pain I had encountered and surely God understood. He knew the blows I had been dealt, He knew how unfair my circumstances. Like Jonah justifying punishment on the Ninevites, I was sure that I was justified in my own quiet loathing. It wasn’t until my situation tripped me into my own chasm of dysfunction that I truly began to look up, and when you’re looking up, seeking rescue, you’re not seeing your tragedy, you’re not viewing what made you miserable, you’re looking for what can save you. You’re no longer justifying, you’re desperate….clinging to hope instead of your fear. And God is always good. He comes to us when we call, when we are crying from our own pits, however deep and dirty and dark and He reaches down, wipes our faces of our tears and cleanses us of our own filth, allowing us to leave our unworthiness our shame, our disgust in the pits below. He reminds us that we are His children; daughters and sons of royal lineage who can stand tall in His righteousness. He is faithful to find us, faithful to cleanse us and faithful to love us. He will never forsake and though we may remain for days or weeks or months in our own abyss … He will hear, He will come, He will rescue!
He will hear, He will come, He will rescue! Awesome!
“I was sure that I was justified in my own quiet loathing.” Thank you for this. The Lord delivered me from a pattern of quietly loathing my husband a couple of years ago. Only recently, those feelings have been wanting to creep back in. Thank you for the reminder to keep looking up!
Once you have wrestled with and gained victory over a sin you do have to be vigilant for ever about it. I wrestled with an area over a number of years … When I get tired or stressed or can’t sleep it just there waiting for me to embrace it again. Now it’s the knowledge of how hard it is to kick back out of my life that keeps me from picking it up again even for a moment. So well done for not letting those thoughts back in and keep up the good fight!
Looking up….seeking rescue……seeing your savior…….YES!!!!!
Yes! Love your honesty, B! Been there, done that! I learned to cling to Him with all I’ve got because He is all I need. He rescues. Every. Time.
“The God who left heaven to pursue you and rose from the pit to redeem you has not forgotten you. Thanks be to God.” Amen and amen. What a humbling thought for me this morning. Thank you.
“As my life was fading away, I remembered Yahweh,” (Jonah 2:7a)…As my life was plagued with doubts, “What would I do if I lost my job?” I remembered Yahweh. As my life was overcome with that same stronghold of fear, I pressed in close and I remembered Yahweh. As my life was turned upside down when we took into our home my mother-in-law. I remembered Yahweh. As frustration mounted because of the lack of available pool ours when swimming is the only thing my pain ravaged body can handle. I remembered Yahweh! Is there anytime I have called out to Yahweh, he has not answered? Wherever I am, in the belly of Sheol, in the mouth of lions, on a battlefield with giants, in the middle of a blazing fire, in prison and enchained, in the throes of a volatile new relationship, caught in a stronghold of doubt, fear, and frustration, I can cry out to the Lord. I can remember Yahweh. I can approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help me at the proper time (Hebrews 4:16). Oh my! This fills my heart with an amazing sense of peace and comfort.
Lord! My big fingers aren’t working right. Sorry.
I ran away from Him and he pursued me and brought me back. Thank you Litd!
Glory to God for His faithfulness even when I truly am not! Iran
Love the thought that Jonah may have been waiting in the fish for 3 days before repenting or might have repented straight away before God answered. Having been in both situations it is reassuring to read of old testament stories with the same message. God is faithful and even in the hard times of depression God is still good.
I’m approaching my last few classes of university and I too feel a little bit of this depression. God has been working in my life these last few months and as overwhelming, tiring and terrifying as it can be I am learning that God will use this time in my life to strengthen my walk and use my experiences to share his love with others. He gave me this verse yesterday and it really spoke to me, John 13:7 Jesus speaking to the disciples before washing their feet he said “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Holding on to this verse as I allow Jesus to bring me out of this pit. Thank you for sharing with us today, Missy really encouraging!
“and no matter how we got there…” Favorite part! Even if it is our fault, such as it was for Jonah, God still pursued, still ran after Jonah. That gives me such hope in my failures and mistakes. Just like prodigal son, it said his father saw him “afar off ” and he didn’t just sit there on the front porch waiting for the son to get there. No! He ran to him! “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
So amazed by a God who would pursue me even in my weakest and most embarrassing moments. ♥
Here’s a link to When God Ran…never gets old :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cuitzmires
What an amazing song – tears flowing knowing that He loves and pursues us so!
amen!!! so similar to my testimony I too was diagnosed with depression after uni. but the Lord brought me up from the pit! he saved my life!! and his mercy gives me strength everyday. thank you for sharing xx
I am rejoicing with you, Leah!