Everyone loves the idea of a second chance, especially when we’re the ones who need it. But offering that same grace to someone else can be much harder.

Jonah knew exactly what that struggle felt like. He ran from God, resisted His calling, and wrestled with the idea that people he believed deserved judgment could actually receive mercy.

Yet in the middle of Jonah’s running, rebellion, and resistance, God kept pursuing him.

JONAH is more than the story of a man and a great fish. It is the story of a God of relentless grace, a God who gives second chances to rebellious prophets, broken people, and even entire cities.

And somewhere in Jonah’s story, we may discover that the person most in need of a fresh start is us.

1.  If you want to run from God, the devil will be happy to give you a lift.

“The Lord designated a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish.” Jonah 2:1

2.  Sometimes what we call a problem, God calls provision.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray.” James 5:13

“I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.”  Jonah 2:2

Jonah Prayed The Psalms

“I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me.” Jonah 2:2a

“I was crying to the Lord with my voice and He answered me” Psalm 3:4

“I cried for help from the depth of Sheol.” Jonah 2:3

“You will not abandon my soul to Sheol.” Psalm 16:10

“I have been expelled from Your sight.” Jonah 2:4

“I am cut off from before Your eyes.”  Psalm 31:22

“Water encompassed me to the point of death.” Jonah 2:5     

“Waters have threatened my life.” Psalm 69:1

“That which I have vowed I will pay.” Jonah 2:9  

“I shall pay my vows to the Lord.” Psalm 116:14

3.  While we are praying, God is working

“But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you… And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” Jonah 2:9-10 NIV

“That which I have vowed I will pay.” Jonah 2:9

“I shall pay my vows to the Lord.” Psalm 116:14

“An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign; and so no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet;  for just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.” Matthew 12:39-40

* All scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted