I’ve been reading “Jonah” recently and it’s brought home to me the way God is always there: Jonah may well want to run away and do his “own thing” but he can’t escape or avoid God. In the depths of the waters, imprisoned in the great fish – or whale if you prefer – in chapter 2, Jonah assesses his state. The psalm which he produces starts with a lament for his condition. Trapped, overwhelmed – what are his options?
Does this sound familiar to any of us today? I rather think it might. Many people I know are fighting against loneliness and worried at the sheer uncertainty and a sense of being trapped at this time. As I read Jonah’s great prayer in chapter 2, I found myself identifying with him in a way I’d not done before
Psalms often start with lamentation and, as I read on, I found out something else – even when we are at our lowest ebb God is still with us, pursing us in his love. Jonah 2:7 reads “When I lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord…” Jonah has realised what he knew all along – even when he was running away from God – how easy it is to forget that God is always with us in every situation. The psalm of Jonah ends with the words “For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”
I’m writing this on the first day of a new lockdown; like everyone else I’m wondering how long it will last. When will I see the Grandchildren again? Will we have a family gathering for Christmas? and so on. But from Jonah I draw hope as I’m reminded that God is always here with me and He is always there with you. We can trust in him to save and sort out a pattern of life which may well be even better than it was before.
Prayer: Loving, saving God. Open our ears to hear your words, through Scripture, prayer and through the kindnesses of others. Make our words your words to heal, help and comfort. Open our spirits to see you present in the world and in the people around us. And let us affirm with Jonah that “salvation comes from you alone.” In Jesus’ name Amen