December 7, 2010

“Lord, Send the Great Fish”

Blessings Folk!

In our local Bible studies we just completed a couple of weeks of study in the book of Jonah.

Interesting.

Most of us will be familiar with the basic story...we may cover some of it in days to come.

There were a couple of points that have really impacted me of late.

One is related to the great fish.

Jonah was fleeing the presence of the Lord.

Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD

The Lord had instructed Jonah to go to Nineveh.
He went the opposite direction.

You know the story...if not, read Jonah 1,2...very short…

Jonah is eventually thrown into the sea.

Chapter 2 gives us graphic insight into Jonah’s condition.

He was…

• distressed
• in the depth of Sheol...at the point of death
• engulfed by the deep
• wrapped in weeds
• sunk to the bottom
• no hope
• no options

Jonah…

• called out to the Lord
• cried for help
• looked toward the Lord’s Holy Temple...a picture of seeking His Presence
• remembered the Lord
• prayed to the Lord’s Holy Temple
• determined to sacrifice to the Lord
• vowed
• declared that salvation is from the Lord

What did the Lord do?

The Lord appointed a great fish.

Jonah 1
17 And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.

I’ve been thinking about the fish…
I have been praying for several folk that the Lord would “appoint a great fish” for them.
Huh?
Why?

Think on it.

The fish was the rescuer, God’s vessel of redemption. The fish brought Jonah from the depths. In the wonder of the Lord Jonah had oxygen, etc.

The fish was a safe place of recluse and protection.

The fish was a place of reflection for Jonah. What else are you to do when you are in the belly of a fish? During our time of study I experienced a 3d/4d sonogram of one of our upcoming grandbabies. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/jubileeprecept#p/a/u/1/TmCVNhopnws

This particular sonogram was extremely clear...highly unusual according to the tech. I envision Jonah in a similar situation. He was not walking around with a flashlight. In a manner of speaking, he was experiencing a rebirth.

The fish was a place of revelation. Jonah understood what was to be done.

The Lord used the time in the fish to restore Jonah.

The fish was the means of relocation. The fish vomited Jonah upon the dry ground. The Lord used the fish to take Jonah to where He desired.

Many are in like situation.
They are sinking.
They are drowning.
They are at the gates of Sheol.
They are running from the Presence of the Lord.

May the Lord send a “great fish” to bring them back.

Perhaps you are the “great fish” the Lord has prepared.

Or...

Are you fleeing the Presence of the Lord?

So many are.

So many are busy in religious activity.
The truth is that they are busily avoiding the Presence of the Lord…”in the name of the Lord.”

Let us turn to Him, lest we require a great fish.

Blessings!