Not Nineveh #2

 Read Jonah 2

Background: Having tried his best to run away from God's calling, Jonah ended up inside a big fish. Now he was very much a captive audience, who chose to request audience with God. He realized how close to death he had been, and the one thing he focuses on is worshipping God at His temple.  When he was on the ship, he had heard the men all calling on their pagan idols to no avail.  He realized afresh that his God was the true and living God who does answer prayer.  

Key verses: 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols
    turn away from God’s love for them.
9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
    will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”
10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Thoughts: Jonah realized God had delivered and preserved him for a reason. He responded with thanksgiving and praise, as well as vows to offer sacrifice when he returned to the temple to worship. But the key is found in his vow to say: "Salvation comes from the Lord."  That is the message God wanted him to take to Nineveh.  Once Jonah committed to taking that message, the Lord delivered from his jail in the fish.  Jonah appeared to be ready to finally obey God's call.