Most of us know of Jonah because he was inside the belly of a big fish. Many of us remember Jonah because of his temper and his stubbornness. Usually I think of all of these when I think of Jonah. But there is one more thing I would like to think when I think of Jonah. His contrite heart when he was inside the belly of the fish.
Jonah prayed when he was trapped. When there was nothing that he could do, he prayed. Some of our best prayers come out of desperation, the prayers that let us know that we are not in control. It is in those moments that we remember that there is a God whom we serve. Jonah prayed in Chapter 2 Verse 9: “But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.”
One of my goals should be to be like Jonah when he was inside the fish. To have a contrite heart and to remember to do, everything that I told God I would do. God hears our words, God hears everything that we promise to do. This week I want us to do everything we have promised to God, and may God bless our efforts in doing his will.