Jonah's Prayer (2:1-9)

Jonah 2:1-9
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. 2 And he said:

“I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction,
And He answered me.
2 “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
And You heard my voice.
3 For You cast me into the deep,
Into the heart of the seas,
And the floods surrounded me;
All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight;
Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’
5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul;
The deep closed around me;
Weeds were wrapped around my head.
6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains;
The earth with its bars closed behind me forever;
Yet You have brought up my life from the pit,
O Lord, my God.
7 “When my soul fainted within me,
I remembered the Lord;
And my prayer went up to You,
Into Your holy temple.
8 “Those who regard worthless idols
Forsake their own Mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay what I have vowed.

Salvation is of the Lord.”

10 So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Note: The following is an excerpt from a devotional commentary that I've been working on while reading the Book of Jonah, the Old Testament Book, and prophet whom Jesus cited (See Matt. 12:39-42).
Verses two and three then open Jonah’s declaration of the saving mercies of Almighty God. For though He afflicts He heals and restores people when they repent and return to Him. While Jonah’s declaration of looking towards the Temple in Jerusalem was in the Old covenant economy where God was to be sought (vs.4). Where sacrifice for the sin was to take place; both collectively for the nation of Israel and God’s people individually. As well where the Gentiles could seek God (1 Kings 8:41-43). But now in the New Covenant we do not look to a Temple when we sin, since God has provided something far better and far more enduring for us. God has commanded that we all look to Jesus Christ crucified, whether Jew or Gentile for that is where God has made the finial and everlasting sacrifice for all our sins (Heb. 10:14). God’s mercies are found freely there for all who believe or trust in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion death (John 3:15-16).

Have you then come to place of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord? If you have, but have not yet invited Him into your heart and life please freely do so. By saying a simple prayer in faith inviting Jesus Christ into your heart and life you can be forgiven all your sins and begin a new life with God. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You were crucified for my sins remission and that You rose from the dead for my justification, so that You could impart new and everlasting life into me. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in Jesus' Name, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Christian Life and Liberty (John 10:9-11)

John 10:9-11
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Devotional:
When Jesus described Himself as the door He was using more than just a metaphor, which was familiar to those in the culture into which He spoke it. He was declaring that He Himself is the way to life, both life eternal and life abundant here and now. Life eternal that is regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God by which we come into a personal relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord (Titus 3:4-7). That is the promise and the grace of God towards all who put their faith in Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected from the dead (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).
Life abundant. As we put away the old things and attitudes which were hostile to God and our fellow person and embrace the new things that are according to Christ. "For if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore having been justified (that is declared righteous) by faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1) we are being sanctified by the Spirit of God and thus we are to live out this new nature within us as God's redeemed children (Gal. 5:16-23).
Again Jesus' came so that we have life and have it more abundantly. Life, which begins by being in relationship with God the Father through Himself (John 14:26). That is where life is found. Knowing God personally. For life true, full and meaningful is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ whose Spirit imparts not only His life in us but also the fruits of His life. Which are the fruits of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22-23). For it is the Holy Spirit who not only brings to life everyone who believes in Jesus Christ the Lord, but also unites us to Christ and each other, and imparts each believer with these. Now these fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control. These then are to govern a believers new life in Christ rather then sin or the Law (Gal. 5:16-23). And so as one draws nearer to the heart of God these fruits will become more apparent in ones own heart and life as well. Therefore we can hope for ongoing change and growth as we yield our lives and will to God to be Spirit led, rather then mislead by our own sinful desires, for we will grow up into Christian maturity as we keep Christ's commandments through these (Rom. 13:9-10). Therefore we find freedom to worship God and enjoy life in all the creative genius He gives us that respects these. For we are as Jesus said free to go in and go out and find pasture. Free to live and free to love. For the Spirit of God goes with us and that is how the fragrance of Christ is to be manifested through us to others by our love for each other (John 13:34-35). Thus the life of Christ is seen in us as we live according to these. Therefore do not let the thief steal your liberty, to live life fully and love all people abundantly, which Jesus Christ purchased for us all at Calvary. Instead go in and experience worship of God and fellowship with other believers, then go out and experience life together; believer and unbeliever alike in all its fullness. For that is what Jesus desires for us all. To receive life from Him and then go live it out. For in doing so we become complete and mature human beings who positively impact the lives and societies which we live in.

Now in contrast to Christ who comes bringing life in all it's fullness; the thief only brings death, which is contrary to Christ's Person as Savior and Restorer of life. For God is above all else a God who loves. Whose love motivates Him to seek out those who are straying (Luke 15:3-7). And thus offers mercy and restoration to life to all who repent and believe in the gospel (Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 1:15). Therefore Jesus invites all to come and drink of His living waters, which He pours into every soul who believes in Him (John 4:14). For where God is there is life (John 3:16) and there is love (1 John 4:7-11). That is one sure mark of His Presence.

Again unlike the Son of God who brings healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2). The thief only comes to destroy. That is the measure of him (John 8:44). Finally Jesus says that He is the good the Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep. Therefore Jesus Christ's character unlike the thieves always manifests itself in self sacrificing love. That is what the Good Shepherd does He lays down His life so that through Him we might live.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Being Under Law

Devotional
Being under law; that is working to find Gods approval through it or religious observances or legalistic regimes in the New Covenant often leads to anger at God and others rather then love towards Him who is Love (1 John 4:15-21). The reason for this is God cannot accept a person based on their own merits. For the Scripture confines all people as sinners in the sight of God and thus we are all incapable of self-redemption (Rom. 3:19-28). Therefore the gospel is very clear all who come to God must come by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work done on the cross to save us all (John 19:30). Therefore we all must come into Jesus Christ's salvation by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9). "For the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" John 1:17  Working then for salvation means one only seeks to usurp the cross and acquires debt not grace (Rom. 4:4-5). However the Good News is this: God can and does accept all sinners who turn from their sins and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith for the forgiveness of them. For faith alone saves a person from God's judgment and permits them an eternal inheritance with Jesus Christ in heaven. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:16-21


Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

The Scriptures Patience and Comfort (Romans 15:4-5)

Romans 15:4-5
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. NKJ

Devotional
Patience and comfort is what every believer finds in God and His Word, because of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion death and His resurrection from the dead, and our trusting Him to save us. Patience is also what we find through the Scriptures and God’s promises in them for us. Since it is through the Living Word of God that we now also live. Whether here on earth as sojourners, or as a Body of believers spiritually alive and united to God, and each other, through Jesus Christ the Lord by the Holy Spirit. We have God’s patience both extended towards us, and exemplified through us, as we embrace and live out His promises for us.
It is for that reason that we must strive to be both patient, and like-minded towards each other, according to Christ Jesus. Now this being like-minded is in Christ Jesus; that is, it is a like-mindedness of our mutual faith, in our mutual Savior, through the saving grace of God through Him. Therefore it is not a like-mindedness in our own personal likes and dislikes. The Bible is very clear that the unity of the Spirit is not the end of our personal preferences on an innumerable number of things. In Rom. 14 the Apostle Paul warns about judging other believers on all such matters, whether observance of specific days, foods or fasting etc. since none of these commend us to God (vs. 1-13). Thus each follower of Jesus Christ is allowed to hold their own convictions on all, and any none-essential matters. That is a apart of the easy burden and light yoke Jesus Christ offers all people; freedom to practice ones faith in Him; to have a personal relationship with Him; without fear of alienation from Him, because of one's personal convictions on all non-essential matters.
Problems arise though when believers make their own personal convictions, or the traditions of faith that they’ve grown up under, and instead of enjoying these things freely, make these apart of our mutual faith’s essentials. Sometimes going so far as to separate themselves from other believers based on these things, and thus not on legitimate Biblical grounds. Now when that happens there is not only a willful rift in the unity of the Spirit that should not exist, there is also exemplified an unfitting and unsound zeal for God, as Apostle Paul warns about in his Roman epistle, which is not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Rom. 10:3-4
Now this misguided zeal maybe based on Old Covenant food statutes, or Sabbath observances, or denominational traditions born out of the commandments of men; and thus not according to the traditions the Lord Jesus Christ instituted, and the Biblical Apostles appointed for us. None of which commends the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to the grace of God through the New Covenant and the liberty found there (2 Cor. 3:17; Col. 2:20-22). Therefore we are warned about keeping the commandments and traditions of men, which only undermines Christ’s commandments and impedes both the unity of the Spirit and the grace of God towards all (Matt. 15:8-9; Rom. 4:4-5; Gal. 4:9-11; Eph. 4:1-6; Col. 2:20-22). For there can be no returning to the traditions of men, or the Law for a righteous standing before God the Father (Rom. 3:19-28; Gal. 2:19-21; 4:21-31; 5:1, 4-5; Phil. 3:7-9). For when that happens believers invariably forget to leave no room for the reconciliation of repentant sinners (Luke 18:9-14). “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Reconcilation (2 Samuel 14:14)

2 Samuel 14:14 “…Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.”

Devotional
When a believer sins there is a rift in the relationship with God and often times their fellow person. Though a first response maybe to conceal ones sin, or if offended to seek to punish the offender; God’s response is neither. For Jesus was crucified for all our sins so that He could through grace and truth devise a means of reconciliation for everyone in need (Matt. 9:13; John 1:17). Indeed it was our sins that broke Christ’s body and shed His blood at Calvary where God’s justice was served. Therefore if we are going to be disciples of Jesus we must be open to reconciliation towards all individuals whereby upon a person’s repentance restoration can be secured (Luke 17:3-4). If people refuse to repent then that’s a different matter (Matt. 18:15-20). For the Lord Jesus has already provided the righteousness for us all (2 Cor. 5:21). That God’s Righteousness; not mans might be made known and granted to all (Job 33:23-30; Rom. 3:19-28). So that all who receive God’s grace by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ might have cause to praise God forever (Psalm 145; Luke 15:7, 10).

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

"Be angry and do not Sin" (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil."

Devotional
The exhortation given here is often misunderstood do to a nuance in the Old Testament Hebrew and the Apostle Paul’s quotation of the *Septuagint’s rendering of Psalm 4:4. In Psalm 4:4 the idea in Hebrew is of reverential fear, of “standing in awe of God” (K.J.) and not sinning. Literally trembling “with any violent emotion especially anger or fear” (Strongs 7264). In the Septuagint the Greek emphasizes the passion aspect of the Hebrew word, and uses a word familiar to it that is to represent that desire of not sinning against God (see Strongs 3710). Unfortunately in the N.T. quotation of it, this is sometimes confused with anger in a more generalized way, which is not being endorsed by the passage. The anger or fear is that of sinning against God, which both passages endorse. **Similarly there is a just anger expressed in Jesus’ parables of those who refuse His servants invitation (Matt. 22:7) and of the King at one of His unforgiving servants (Matt. 18:34). But believers are never commanded to be angry as a general rule of life, and certainly not to justify their unforgiveness (Matt. 18:21-35), or unwillingness to reconcile with others (Heb. 12:14). For just a few verses later after giving this exhortation the Apostle Paul writes, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:30-32 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

Now the second part of the verse quoted from the Apostle Paul “…do not let the sun go down on your wrath” makes it clear that we are not to harbor wrath. Whether justly or not, for only God can harbor just wrath. Therefore when we are sinned against we are to process these emotions and then let our anger go. The reason is self evident by the next verse, for harboring wrath gives the devil a foothold in ones life. Nobody who harbors wrath can make sensible decisions (Ecc. 7:9) and thus be said to be led by the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:19-25). Believers then are warned about hating others (Matt. 5:21-22) and especially other believers, which is incompatible with one's new person in Christ. For “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:9-11 Hence (returning to the original passage) when angered we are to seek reconciliation before the sun goes down on our wrath (Matt. 18:15-20). Or when we sin and we become aware of our brethren’s wrath we should seek them so that reconciliation might be forwarded and grieving the Holy Spirit of God prevented (Matt. 5:23-25). Therefore the second part of Psalm 4:4 “And put your trust in the Lord.” Is what believers should do. Rather than seeking vengeance or employing spiritual principles to harm those who have harmed us (Rom. 12:19-21). Put your trust in the Lord and let Him work it out if you’ve already tried reconciliation but that failed. For the Scripture commands: "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18

All Scripture Quotations:
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982

*Septuagint: An ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures.
Strongs: Strong, James: The New Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1996
** Notion gleaned from New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology NIDNTT; Abridged Edition; pages 416-417 under word heading orge (G.K. 3973)

Jesus teaches on our need for Repentance (Luke 13:1-5)

Luke 13:1-5
1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Devotional
Assumption of guilt is a common err. And if we only judge by the externals the Old Testament Job, though declared blameless by the Lord, would be the worst of sinners. And that he was by his friends when they couldn’t explain his plight. Indeed the Lord Jesus’ own crucifixion, which was done by the will of God for the redemption of sinners, was initially judged by bystanders as if dying for some heinous crime. Yet the only crime being committed was His crucifixion, of which we all are guilty. Even Christ’s disciples initially felt that their hope was vanquished with that horrible scene on Calvary; that is until Christ’s resurrection and the glories that later followed. Far to often people link tragedy or misfortune with God’s unmitigated judgment. Here the Lord Jesus is told of a horrific crime committed against some worshippers from Galilee. The act itself is almost as unspeakable as it is barbarous. Pilate the then ruling governor is said to have mixed some Galilean worshippers blood with their sacrifices. This murderous act and sacrilege that followed surely reveals the true nature of Pilate. Yet the people who brought this news to Jesus seem to have judged the victims of his crime as being almost as hideous. As if tragedy and misfortune only befalls sinners or those deserving of it. Which Jesus quickly rebukes with His response. “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Then Jesus as if anticipating their thoughts or not wanting the consequence of His Words to be lost immediately follows that with another incident familiar to them. 4 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
If Jesus Christ’s Words aren’t a fearful wake up call for us all they should be. Individuals and Nations are far to often lulled into complacency by their current state affairs until tragedy finds them. The Apostle Paul in the New Testament wrote the churches:
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:1-3
Therefore Jesus’ point is to reemphasize each and every person’s own need for repentance before God. That is what God requires of everyone, our repentance. For the Son of Man will come with truth, righteousness and justice and He will judge both individuals and nations (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 3:1-10). In that day profession of faith; “one nation under God” or “Lord; Lord” will mean nothing if it is not backed up with genuine repentance (Matt. 7:21-23) and faith (Mark 1:15). Therefore to die without Jesus Christ justifying one before God the Father would be no less tragic. For only genuine repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all others brings us into God’s salvation and thus eternal security and peace (John 14:27). The question then is have you turned your heart away from your sins and turned in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for God’s forgiveness? That is where it all starts. Confessing ones own sins before God then receiving by faith the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of them, then having received the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ doing works befitting of repentance (Acts 26:19-20; Eph. 2:8-10). There’s no better security then that.

All Scripture Quotations:
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982