The second part of Jonah's prayer revealed his condition in the belly of the fist. He continued to pray, "I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!" (Jonah 2:5-6). Jonah was probably swallowed by a huge whale and got stuck somewhere in its stomach or bladder. Every time the whale opened its mouth to eat seaweed, the water and seaweed went over Jonah. He felt imprisoned because he couldn't go anywhere, but he acknowledged that he was still alive because God snatched him from the jaws of death. God spared Jonah's life.
Although Jonah was running away from God, he couldn't escape God's presence. God finally put him in a place where he couldn't run. We can only go so far in running away from God. David prayed these words, "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you." (Psalm 139:7-12). The only option that Jonah had was to return to God.
God could have taken Jonah's life, but God was not done with Jonah. God spared his life to restore and send him to fulfill His purpose. God's plan in our lives when we are in rebellion is to restore us so that we may have an abundant life with Him again instead of living miserably.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you). What is God's plan for me when I rebel against Him? Can I escape God's presence? What is the best option for me to take when I am in rebellion?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, there is no place on this earth that I can escape from your presence. You see everything that I do, hear everything that I say, and know the motives of my heart. There is nothing that I can hide from you. I praise and thank you for always pursuing me when I rebel against you to restore my relationship with you. Thank you for not letting me go even when I chose to run away from you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.