Maranatha – Awaiting Christ's Return – 1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

It’s So Hard, Lord!

On March 28, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (3) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (4)

Discouragement does not happen while we are having a sweet walk with the Lord. Discouragement, and yes depression, comes when we are in the midst of some kind of trial. These trials come in various forms: long-term physical problems, relationship problems, work-related problems, family problems, money problems, etc. There is not a human being that has ever lived who has not been through trials or tribulation.

As I am going through one of the most difficult trials of my Christian walk, I How, then, can we overcome these trials? Not everything in life has quick solutions. Nor are there answers to every question. However, the Bible says in Romans 5:3-4 that we should glory in our tribulations. I remember reading this and thinking to myself, “Is Paul nuts here?” There is no way that I can glory in this trial! I do not believe that Paul is asking us to do that. We must read the entire verse to fully understand what Paul’s intentions were. I believe Paul was telling us that we can glory in our trials because trials work patience in our lives. Why patience?

I think of being persecuted by unbelievers at work as being a trial. Our patience with our co-workers will be a testimony to them when they think about how we did not fight back when we were criticized or when they poked fun at our Christianity. There’s also the trial of being married to an unbeliever. The saved spouse surely learns patience as he/she tries to live harmoniously with that unbelieving spouse. That patience, again, is a testimony to the unbeliever.

Paul says that patience brings about experience. Experience, in my opinion, is the best teacher. Throughout my 45 years of salvation, I have seen God’s hand in each trial. You’ve heard the saying, “Hind sight is 20/20.” This should be true in the life of the believer. We should look back after each trial and recognize God’s hand in that trial. We should give Him the glory and honor for bringing us through it. When we recognize His work in our lives at the time of each trial, we form a pattern of history, if you will. Then when the next trial comes, we know through experience that God will take care of this one as well. How can we be discouraged if we know through experience that God will take care of us during this trial?

Paul ends the verses saying that experience will bring hope! Oh what a wonderful word!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

We hope in the fact that God will take care of our trial. We can’t envision how He will do it, but He will do it. There are many Christians who are able to overcome trials, and they do so because they are in the Word faithfully. They do not neglect the Word when times get rough. Going to God only when you’re in “need” is not the way to build your faith. It’s like only getting fuel for your car once you’re stalled out on the road. By that time, it’s too late. The problem is at hand. You get fuel before the fuel light comes on and avoid running out of gas on the side of the road. It’s the same with discouragement. Don’t turn to God only at the time of discouragement. You should be “fueling” yourself in the Word of God every day.

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” (Psa 73:28)

Help Me, Lord!

By Kate Plourde

On March 26, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

~Malachi 4:2a But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

~Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Every believer has either been, is currently, or awaiting a trial. What kind of trial have you experienced? What did you do during the trial. How did you make it out of that trial. As Christians, we have everything we need in order to deal with it. There are so many self-help books out there, but the one Book that keeps being put on the back burner is the Bible. Within its pages are the answers to all our trials. The Bible knows how to deal with the pain as a result of any trial. We just have to take time away from the distractions and settle into our Bibles.

Finding healing … we all are in need of some kind of healing, aren’t we? Some of us have physical problems. Some have spiritual problems. Others have emotional problems. We live in an age where there is a doctor for every kind of problem known to man! When it comes to the spiritual problems, however, Preachers are the ones most turn to. Healing cannot be found if the sick one does not apply the recommendation given to them. A doctor can prescribe a pill or recommend a surgery, but if the patient does not take that advice, he will not get better. It is the same with spiritual help. The Pastor can recommend but he cannot force the Christian to read his Bible, etc.

God is perfect, however, and promises to heal those who seek Him. God’s healing is not a “hope so” but a definite one! Does everyone who has physical problems get healed by God? No! Sometimes those with illness are more able to help others because they have the compassion to serve because of their illness. God does not promise to heal all physical problems, but he does promise to be there with you. He will also provide rest and healing to those who are spiritually sick and have become weary.

~Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You can tell when you have come across a Christian stricken with a chronic illness, and has drawn close to God. This person does not have his eyes on his own pain and suffering, but has placed them on the needs of others. You can also tell a Christian who has not been drawing close to God during his trial.

~Job 7:11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

You have been around people like this, haven’t you? I have and it is not encouraging to say the least! The person who does not seek healing in God’s Word becomes so bitter that the only thing that comes out of their mouth is complaining.

(1) Matthew 11:29 says to take Christ’s yoke upon us and learn of Him. If you picture a yoke in your mind’s eye, you will see it has two openings – for two oxen heads. I recently heard a message about who you yoke up with. For example, you can’t yoke a donkey with an ox because the donkey pulls back, while an ox pulls forward. You have to yoke yourself with someone who is going in the same direction as you.

Now, place yourself in one opening and look to the other – it is there that Christ has promised to be – right along side of you so that your burden, whatever that may be, is lighter. You are not carrying it alone in your spiritual battle! You are not alone in your physical battle! You are not alone in your emotional battle! My friend, Jesus is in the other opening of your yoke! Woah! That packs a wallop, doesn’t it? Half of our battle is realizing that we are not alone and that someone cares about us.

(2) Secondly, Christ says in verse 29 to learn of Him and you will find rest. Being in the Word of God will cleanse you and, thus, bring spiritual and emotional healing.

~Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The chronically ill Christian can avoid bitterness by being in the Word. It is there he will learn what Christ would have him to learn. Jesus brings healing with each word. But you must read it to glean. It’s like the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” The answers to your problems may not be the answers you were looking for but they will always be what the Lord says is best for your life. Furthermore, your problem may not go away but your attitude about it will have changed.

Jesus has the medicine for us for every area of our lives. He may not choose to heal our problems but He has exactly what we need, when we need it, for our spiritual life. Rather than wallow in self pity and be miserable and bitter, we must lean on Christ who is helping us carry the weight of our trial in our yoke.

Discipline yourself from dwelling on your trial. Instead, place your eyes on someone else so you can help. It is when we are busy helping others that we are able to keep our eyes off our own trial. When you take your eyes off others, you will soon find yourself hurting more and becoming bitter.

Learn from Christ and find rest! Great is His faithfulness and He’s always available to help!!!

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Protect Me, Oh God!

By Kate Plourde

On March 24, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Sometimes it seems we are hit from every side, doesn’t it? The devil does not play fair. If he can distract the Christian from leaning on the Lord, he will. It’s no coincidence that the Apostle Peter compared the devil as a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8) If you’ve been a believer even for a short time, you will experience the devil’s ravenous attempts in your life. He wants you absorbed with your problems so that your light for Jesus is dimmed.

Are you at the point in your spiritual walk where your light is now just glowing embers? Have you ever noticed that when you’re walking on the beach, your feet sink into the sand and you’re not as steady? However, if you dig your feet deeper into the sand, you are steadier. The deeper in the stand you plant yourself, the steadier you become. Oh Christian, the deeper you dig into the Scriptures, the steadier you will become in your journey!

This is your mission! Dig your feet in and stand firm on God’s Word. Review those verses that have encouraged you in the past in your head and let them encourage you again. It is your shield against fiery darts. This is why the Bible is called the Living Word of God! It breathes and moves within the believer, and restores spiritual health!

Your faith is at its weakest when you are not armed with the Bible. We are armed each time we start our day in God’s Word. We are armed each time something happens during the day that brings verses to mind that we read just that morning!

Not only did God tell Abram that He was his shield, but God also said that He was Abram’s great reward. What was that reward? God made Abram the father of all nations. Abram, now called Abraham, would not only be the father of the Jewish people but of the Gentile nations as well. Anyone whose salvation is based on faith is born into Abraham’s family! Once we are born again, we also have a great reward. That reward is that our sin debt has been paid in full by the Lord Jesus Christ and we are no longer under condemnation!

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Once we are born again, we are in Christ Jesus. Every day we fight a battle with the flesh. You know you are in the battle because the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart! He warns you and guides you to walk after Him and not the flesh. Are you feeling weak and discouraged? Pick up your shield and dig your feet in!

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Do You Even See Me, God?

By Kate Plourde

On March 21, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

(Gen 16:13) And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

(Gen 21:17) And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

There are times where I have been so deep in sorrow that I asked God this same question. I’m sure I’m not alone and those of you who are reading this have or are going through this same thing. My mind races with thoughts revolving around my problem. Surely God does not want this daughter to be overcome with despair and grief!

I am encouraged by the account of Hagar because I see God’s hand in her life. He hears her cries and actually sees her. The Creator of the universe has time to see a woman pouring her heart out; that means He has the time for me. He hears me – He sees me. It’s hard to comprehend, isn’t it?

The Lord sees my pain and He hears my cries for my prodigal son to return. He hears your cries when your body is wracked with pain! Each tear that we shed is preserved in His book, and so are yours! He knows each struggle, each pain, and each battle.

(Psa 56:8) Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

As in Hagar’s case, there is nothing wrong in crying out to the Lord with our problems. He knows our needs even before we ask (Matthew 6:8); He hears us, and He sees us. He is not some faraway being portrayed as a puppeteer as some claim. He is God Almighty, and nothing is too hard for Him.

(Genesis 18:14) Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

(Jeremiah 32:17) Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

(Jeremiah 32:27) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

When Joshua was commissioned by God to lead his people, God told him exactly what He was going to do for him.

Jos 1:5-9 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (6) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (7) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. (8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

As Christians, we can glean from Joshua’s commission because we can see that God is in every aspect of Joshua’s life. Just as He was with Hagar, so is He with us. What is your struggle, reader? Does it seem hopeless, overwhelming, and insurmountable? God shines in those situations! He may not remove your burden, but He will help you carry it.

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The Saint-ified Life

By Kate Plourde

On March 19, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Definition of Saint-ification: The process of growing in Christ through the reading of God’s Word and applying it to my life.

This may be a play on words, but its message is quite clear. While listening to a message on the prophet Amos, the pastor spoke about the plumb line of God’s Word and how we can walk out of plumb. The plumb is used by builders to make sure the structure they build is vertically straight. The corner stone dictates whether the rest of the structure is built to plumb. This is a poignant directive which we can apply to our spiritual lives as well.

Am I walking out of plumb with God? Do I only do those things that please me from what He instructs through the Bible? We see the results of walking out of plumb with God all around. Churches are filled with spiritually sicker people than ever before. Church has become filled with people desiring a place of entertainment and not desiring to walk in plumb with God.

A crooked wall is a danger to those who stand beside it when it comes crashing down. But what about the plumb line of my spiritual walk with Christ? This same preacher also made a statement that hit me between the eyes:

Is the wall of my life so crooked that it is dangerous to those around me?

Our testimony of Christ reveals our plumb line. Is it straight? Does it lean to the left or right? What people see when they look at us and listen to us is a mini Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Where are you leading those who are watching? Are you misdirecting them? I once read:

You are the only Bible some people will read, and you are the only Jesus some people will see.

So how plumb are you, spiritually speaking? Are you crucified with Christ and leading others to Him through your testimony? Or are you a danger to them? The process It is good to reflect and compare ourselves with the perfect plumb line – our Chief Corner Stone! How appropriate the Christ is the Chief Corner Stone of salvation.

(Psa 118:22) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

(Isa 28:16) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

(Mat 21:42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

(Mar 12:10) And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

(Luk 20:17) And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

(Act 4:11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

(Eph 2:20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

(1Pe 2:6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

(1Pe 2:7) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Lord, I don’t want to be a danger to those around me. I want to lead them to the Rock that is higher than I. Help me to live the “sanctified, saint-ified” life.

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I Need Help!

By Kate Plourde

On March 17, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

Burdens come in different shapes and sizes. Some come in the shape of broken relationships, while others come as physical trials. Oh what a blessing this verse is when one of God’s children is going through trials. Sometimes our burdens seem to weigh us down. We born again believers have a Heavenly Father who cares for us, and desires to relieve us of our burdens. God wants us to be rid of the primary burden in all of our lives, and that is the burden of sin. Today’s graphic portrays this process beautifully! The burden of sin for all who come to salvation in Jesus was taken upon Christ at the cross. There, that burden can be set down never to be picked up again! Praise the Lord!

The God of all creation wants us to call upon Him. As I pondered this thought, I did a search in my Bible software on the phrase “upon the Lord” – what comfort and joy the search results brought to me. Let me share some of them with you:

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. (2 Sam. 22:7)

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering. (1 Chron. 21:26)

Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. (2 Chron. 13:18 )

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Psalm 18:3)

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:9)

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. (Psalm 99:6)

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. (Psalm 118:5)

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. (Psalm 123:2)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31)

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (1 Cor. 7:35)

The Father cares for us so much, and longs to have this close relationship with us. So many take this for granted and don’t go to Him with all their cares. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Pet 5:7) Don’t you desire to run to a place where the Father is waiting to listen to your every word? He is not distracted by the television. He is not indifferent to your needs. He will be as close to you as you allow Him to be.

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What Are YOU Looking At?

By Kate Plourde

On March 14, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

It has been my experience that weariness can be the result of what my eyes rest upon. As I was in Psalms this morning, I noticed that God was David’s priority. This verse says that he “set” God always before him. The word “set” here means to put God in His proper place in my life. Furthermore, David continued to say that God was at his right hand. The right hand was, and is still considered, the stronger hand for most people. As I see it, if I keep God in that proper position in my life, I will keep God on my strong side.

When you put the two thoughts together, one is the result of the other. How can I not be swayed by the whims of this world? How can I spot deceitfulness in whatever I hear or read? How can I rest assured that God’s Word means exactly what it says? How can I be as stedfast as David? The answer is clear:

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

The picture in this post shows us that God desires us to see Him clearly. When we set the Lord in every aspect of our life, we will see what is going on around us, and not be surprised.

Do you set your time with the Lord so He can awaken your spirit and prepare you for the day? Don’t you want answers? Don’t you want direction? It’s so easy to ask a friend for advice. However, what you are more than likely going to receive from that friend is biased response. God holds no bias at all. He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He loves His children equally because He is a perfect Father. It is better to seek His counsel because He is perfect!

David must have taught Solomon well in this area because he wrote:

Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Give it a try! Set God before you … see your spiritual walk more clearly as you focus on Him instead of the world.

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God, Are You Listening?

By Kate Plourde

On March 12, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Psalm 120:1 A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

God always has an attentive ear! Today’s verses encourage the believer that despite our most difficult times, we can know that when we cry out to the Lord, He will hear us!

I love how the verse opens up with God’s arm is not shortened that He cannot save! That’s the first step to having God’s listening ear! Salvation is key to a two-way communication with God. God doesn’t hear the prayer of a sinner except the prayer is one asking for His salvation. Then God listens to everything we speak with our mouth and with our heart!

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

The Christian is not alone, even in the darkest of situations. There is nowhere we can go where God isn’t already there.

Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

No matter how discouraged or weary we get, the Lord is always there – He knows what we are going through – He promises to hear our cries and provide us with exactly what we need to make it through our trial. He will lift us up in times when we are overwhelmed by life. At times, He even carries us through.

Some of you are battling cancer; some are battling chronic illnesses; and others are battling broken homes. You are not alone! Do not be weary. Know that your Heavenly Father will never leave you.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I am always encouraged when I know that I am not alone, and that there is someone to share my burden with. The Lord desires to carry our burdens for us – He desires that we turn to Him when we are at the end of our rope.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Our Lord and Saviour promises us rest from our burdens and cares. Christian, turn to the only One who can truly help you when you are weary. He is the only one who can solve your problems! Don’t give in to Satan’s attempts to drag you down. Don’t give in to his lies that God does not hear you.

Psalm 121:1 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

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What’s Keeping You?

By Kate Plourde

On March 10, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. ~Isaiah 12:2

In looking back on my entire life, I remember gifts given to me; but none so important than the gift of salvation from the Father. The born-again Christian has received the most blessed gift – eternal life in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ. That penalty that we greatly deserved was taken upon the Lord Himself, and we are no longer judged! Furthermore, we are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). Our sins are no longer remembered but they are buried in the deepest sea. In fact, they are removed as far as the east is from the west! (Psa 103:12 and Micah 7:19) That alone should be enough to cause the Christian to rejoice, don’t you think? Sometimes I think that Christians forget just how much they have been rescued from.

The Lord tells us that we also can trust in Him to be with us during those difficult times. God never sleeps so He is always watchful of what happens to us.

~Psalm 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

We have no need to be afraid of anything in our lives because the God who loves us, and never sleeps, is watching … waiting … diligently protecting us. We can rest in His care! 💙 We can be assured that the problems of the day will be handled by the Master and we can enjoy peaceful rest. In fact, this verse says our sleep will be sweet.

~Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

God’s strength cannot be measured – after all, He is not a man! What better arms to rest in than those of the Lord’s?

~Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Serving the Lord, and resting in His care, will put a song in your heart!

~Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

What is it in your life that is keeping you from achieving rest in Him? Think about it, and jot down your answer(s). Then talk to the Lord about it. Since He never sleeps, and has counted the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30). Therefore, you are precious to Him and He cares about you! (1 Peter 5:7)

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You’ve Been There, Haven’t You?

By Kate Plourde

On March 7, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Jonah 2:1-10 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, (2) And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. (3) For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. (4) Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. (5) The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. (6) I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. (7) When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. (8) They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. (9) But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. (10) And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

I have seen many a graphic about Jonah being swallowed up by a great fish, but this one was the most descriptive. You can read all about the reason Jonah ended up in this situation in Jonah 1:1-17. But I want to concentrate on chapter 2 because Jonah’s heartfelt prayer is one that we have uttered (or will utter) at some point in our spiritual walk. To me, it is probably one of the most sincere prayers of the Scriptures. David had some wonderful Psalms describing his turmoil, but Jonah’s words brought me to tears.

Someone I follow on Telegram posted a YouTube video about Jonah’s account, and it pierced my heart. So much so, I had to write about it in hopes that this would be a blessing to someone. I may not have been in the belly of a great fish, but the darkness I felt within my spirit sure made it feel as though I was in the same darkness. Jonah’s circumstances leading to his being swallowed up are not my circumstances. The result of his disobedience led Jonah to his destination. My darkest hours did not come from disobedience. I was blindsided by a family problem that I could not fix. We mothers are naturals at fixing problems at home. But there comes a time when one problem in particular cannot be fixed. Nothing pierces a mother’s heart more deeply than alienation from her child(ren). But this time, was much worse.

I have been told by other mothers’ stories about their prodigal child. Some had a child that left home, not because of something the parents did, but because they wanted to live their own lives. Others have prodigals who left because they believed that all things wrong in their life was the parents’ fault. The end result of any of these stories is that of not hearing from our prodigal. Some live nearby, some have left the area; the pain is the same.

Rather than dwelling on the circumstances, I wanted to take a different path and look at Jonah’s prayer. Nine beautiful verses of passionate prayer resulted in a beautiful result! I learned so much from this prayer:

The Lord heard Jonah! It didn’t matter how dark it was in the belly of the fish or how deep that fish swam into the sea! Can you imagine being tossed about inside that fish as it maneuvered its way through the billows and waves? Jonah could not see a thing – it was pitch black. A darkness he had never experienced in his life. He may not have thought that God would hear him from these depths but yet God heard him!
Jonah tells God what kind of mess he’s in! Verse 5 is so descriptive! I can imagine how scared Jonah must have been.
Jonah looked to God despite his circumstances. I love verse 7 – Jonah remembered the Lord when he felt like it was over for him.
What was Jonah’s reaction? He prayed and acknowledged that it is a lie to think he could find happiness apart from God. Disobedience never brings happiness. 1 Samuel 15:22 tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. In other words, if you disobey God, you can sacrifice a hundred lambs but you will never have peace. God doesn’t want your sacrifices (the works of your hands); God wants obedience.
Jonah’s repentance was true as we see that he said he would sacrifice to God with a voice of thanksgiving. I can’t imagine being thankful that I have a prodigal son, but I can be thankful that the One who created my son loves him more than I do. God’s perfect will will be accomplished, just as it was in Jonah’s life.
The end result of Jonah’s prayer was his admitting that salvation is of the LORD. Indeed it is!

After nine verses of repentance and praise, this chapter ends with God releasing Jonah out of mouth of the fish. Did you notice that Jonah was not spit out in the water? No! He was spit out onto dry land. When God answers prayer, He provides a complete answer. He did not leave Jonah to wallow in the waters until rescue came from another method. Instead, God showed Jonah that only He, God, could provide such a complete answer!

As for my prodigal, I learned that I could not fix this problem; only God can fix it. Are you wallowing in the same darkness as I was? Does your life’s situation seem hopeless to you? I hope and pray that you will dive into Jonah’s account and be as blessed as I am!

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