When You’re Waiting on God
If you want to run from God, the devil will always offer you a ride.
Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 NIV
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. Jonah 2:1 NIV
Sometimes what we call a problem, God calls provision.
God doesn’t always give us what we want, but God gives us what we need.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. ... James 5:13 NIV
He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.” Jonah 2:2 NIV
“You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 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.’” Jonah 2:3-9 NIV
Psalms
I call out to the Lord, and he answers me. Psalm 3:4 NIV
You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead. Psalm 16:10 NIV
I am cut off from your sight! Psalm 31:22 NIV
The waters have come up to my neck. Psalm 69:1 NIV
I hate those who cling to worthless idols. Psalm 31:6 NIV
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord. Psalm 116:14 NIV
Jonah 2
I called to the Lord and he answered me. Jonah 2:2 NIV
Deep in the realm of the dead I called for help. Jonah 2:2 NIV
I have been banished from your sight. Jonah 2:4 NIV
The waters closed over me. Jonah 2:5 NLT
Those who cling to worthless idols …. Jonah 2:8 NIV
What I have vowed I will make good. Jonah 2:9 NIV
“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.’” Jonah 2:9 NIV
And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah 2:10 NIV
While you’re waiting, God’s still working.
[Jesus] answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:39-40 NIV