Men often like to brag about the size of fish they caught or the one that got away. But the Bible tells us of a story about a fish that caught a man. And it left a very bad taste in its mouth and a pain in its belly. This story is found in the book of Jonah.
There was once a man named Jonah, who had been called by God to be a prophet and he thought he knew the ways of God. But one day God asked Jonah to do something that he didn't agree with, so Jonah chose to run. He made a decision to serve God in his own way, and a nice sea cruise seemed like a good starting place. Jonah needed some time to think things over and decide how he would serve God. While he was on his cruise, enjoying the sun and fresh sea air, an unexpected storm came up. But like most men Jonah thought he could weather it out. Pride had always been one of his problems. The storm grew worse and eventually the captain, along with the crew, feared for their lives. They felt the gods were angry with someone, but who? Jonah finally came forward and confessed he was the one, and then chose to end his life for the sake of the others. A sacrifice that didn't turn out quite the way he had expected. God met Jonah in the belly of a whale, and you probably know the rest of the story.
Jonah was a prophet. But his life prophesied a bigger picture and problem. One that we have seen all too often happen over the years. Where sons and daughters of God, who were called to be His messenger, prophet or ambassador for Christ, but for some reason found themselves off course and running from God. Just like the prodigal son, they wanted to do things in their own way, only to end up in a bigger mess than they could ever imagine. Some of them have been caught up in the bondage of worldly entertainment, sports or business. Others are just trapped by less glamorous life styles or alternate ones. Many have gone back to an old carnal longing or addiction again that have sunk its evil claws deeper into their minds. Now they're trapped and there seems to be no way out. Just like Jonah being in the belly of a whale. But, Jesus is coming to their rescue for the sake of the Father, and they will be "spewed out," delivered and freed to fulfill their true calling.
Many times these broken souls have given up on God and themselves. They don't see how God could ever love or forgive them again. But He does and already has. God is with his sons in spirit even when they rebel, there is no place they can hide from Him. His grace is sufficient to bring them back to where they will be more useful than before. They will have experienced His awesome grace to a depth they had never known before. Now they will be used to help free others from similar bondages.
If you know someone like this, let them know that you and God still love them no matter how they may feel. Pray for them as the Lord leads you and keep trusting in God's faithfulness. He is the Great Savior.
Note: There are also many other sons and daughters who have been hidden in caves "for such a time as this" and together they are "coming out" of the 'spiritual whale' to prophesy and minister in His authority. The Lord said, that He even went into the belly of the whale with Jonah. Had He not, then Jesus could not have gone into the belly of the earth and been spewed out as a resurrected man to save mankind. Together we will see the greatest move of God to date. The culmination of this and the visitation of the Father will make this the greatest decade in the history of mankind,. There will be signs and wonder never seen before, and that won't be just another fish story, but the story of the incredible grace of God.
