Gleanings for September 9

JONAH

“Jonah is probably the most well known of the Minor Prophets, there are very few, even in secular circles, who are not familiar with his story. What many are not aware of is the beauty of the promises found in this book.

“To study Jonah is to learn the importance of doing what you are called to do. It also is a lesson in refraining from being judgmental of others. We must see everyone as being important and valuable, not only to us, but also, and most importantly to God.

“As you pray these promises, examine who you are and what you are called to do. Then make a commitment to fulfill that calling in your life.” James Riddle

FAITH CONFESSIONS from the PERSONALIZED PROMISE BIBLE

Jonah 2: 6: “I have been set free from the bonds of earthly things. I am not rooted into the mountains of circumstance, but in the Word of the living God. He has drawn me out from the pit and has set me on the path of the God-kind of life.”

Verse 2: 9: “I make good on all of my covenant agreements with my heavenly Father. I am not hasty to give my word, but I am true to it once it is given.

“I sing my songs of praise and thanksgiving for all that god is doing in my life. He alone provides my salvation from every calamity.”

Verses 3: 1 – 3: “I serve the God of the second chance. If in any way I have failed to obey my calling, He will reveal it to me and put my disobedience behind Him so that I can move forward in His perfect will.

“I will proclaim His message wherever He bids me to go. I consider His command a privilege to perform and I will obey His Word with all of my heart.”

Verses 3: 8 – 10: “I renounce all evil in my life and cast away anything that does not bring glory to my heavenly Father.

“The Lord has turned from His fierce anger and now looks upon me with compassion. I do not take His love for granted. I shall not perish in the horror of spiritual death.

“Jesus has paid my price, delivering me from the powers of death, and has fixed my position at His side for all of eternity.”

Since we are looking at the book of Jonah, I would like to make this observation:

When Jonah was in the belly of the fish, there was not a thing he could do, (other than pray) to get out of the situation he found himself in.

Jonah chose to “sacrifice to the Lord with a VOICE OF THANKSGIVING”. He then confessed: “Salvation is of the LORD.” (Verse 2: 9). The result:

Jonah 2: 10 NKJV: “So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”

Read the Book of Jonah and especially notice Chapter 2 verses 7 – 10—Verse 8 says: “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy (loving-kindness). One translation calls “idols” “lying vanities”. Things we see are not always truth! God’s Word IS TRUTH! It will “trump” any “fact”. We can know for sure:

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH!