Day 28: Fish Will Make You Fast
Jonah had a rare and treasured gift. He could hear God’s voice clearly. The book of Jonah opens with great drama. God gave Jonah an assignment he didn’t like, so he threw a temper tantrum, and ran away. Doesn’t he sound more like a wayward teenager than a prophet? There’s no single prophet in the Bible with that kind of precedent. Some gutsy ones complained or argued with God, but none literally ran away from Him. So, God (like any loving reasonable parent) had to discipline Jonah for his sinful behavior. God had a unique way of spanking Jonah: He sent a furious storm that battered the ship that Jonah was hiding in; he was thrown overboard, and then God arranged for a giant fish to swallow him. Jonah had two options: wallow in fish guts and suffer a slow watery death or fast his way out. He chose the latter. For three days and three nights, Jonah fasted and prayed, repenting and humbling Himself before God (Jonah 1 &2). When God was satisfied with Jonah’s penitence, the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach (Jonah 2:10). Thankfully, in Biblical times, there were no bikini bottoms at the beach to further tempt Jonah away from his divine mission. He completed his assignment albeit with great drama.
You think God is picky? Probably not as picky as we would like him to be. Friend, God can choose and use anyone! And He can redeem anything! Seriously. The Bible is full of really flawed people that God chose to carry out great assignments. People like Jonah. Ordinary people like you and me. Jonah was able to regain God’s favor through fasting, prayer, and repentance. Are you, or someone you know suffering from the adverse consequences of foolish or sinful decisions? Pray, fast, repent. God will forgive and redeem it all.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Jonah’s example. Jesus talked about Jonah, so we know that it’s not a tall tale. Just like Jonah, you invite us to fast and pray when we are caught up in great trouble. You are merciful, compassionate, and quick to forgive. Please release us from all adverse consequences of any foolish and sinful decisions we have made. Salvation comes from you alone. We turn to you for help. Thanks for hearing our earnest prayers. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Join us for a 6-week online book study of Derek Prince’s “Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting” starting July 8, 2025. We will meet each week on Zoom from 5:00-6:30pm CT. The online book study will conclude on August 12, 2025.
We want to hear your fasting testimony! Email info@triumphofhope.com to share your story.
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