From: December 14, 2024
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9 ESV).
In John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ, he was caught up into heaven’s throne room, where he witnessed the Lamb of God being worshiped. He heard the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing a new song, saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” They sang of how He had redeemed believers out from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” by His own blood.
John saw a future time in heaven yet to come. Having laid down His life and risen from the grave, Jesus Christ commissioned His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). When this task is complete, the end will come. As Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).
We have been given the wonderful honor and privilege of announcing the gospel of Jesus Christ to “every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” And one day soon, we will hear the singing that John heard.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we long for the day of Christ’s return. Yet we recognize that the commission the Lord Jesus has given us is not yet complete. Strengthen us for this calling to take the gospel to the nations until everyone has heard that Jesus saves. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 14, 2023
“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me” (Jonah 2:1-2 NLT).
Jonah chapter two records the prayer of God’s runaway prophet. Jonah’s prayer took place from inside the belly of a great fish, which God had sent to rescue him from drowning. When he was convinced of his imminent death and felt his life slipping away, he finally remembered the Lord.
Not many have found themselves in the belly of a fish, but most can relate to Jonah’s predicament. He had tried to run away from God’s calling in his life, but instead found himself sinking deeper and deeper into discouragement and trouble. Running from God, he went down to Joppa, then down to the lower decks of a ship headed West, then he had himself thrown overboard to sink down into the Mediterranean’s depths, and finally down into a fish’s belly. Down, down, down Jonah went before he finally looked up. When he cried out in prayer from the belly of the fish, the Lord answered him and set him back on shore to obey his calling to preach to Nineveh.
How far down do you have to go before looking up?
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for trying to run away from Your calling for our lives. We all have our reasons for running away, but You never give up on us. You pursue us. Help us to live for You today in everything we do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 14, 2022
THAT TIME GOD CAUGHT A MAN WITH A FISH
Many think the book of Jonah is about a fish. It’s not. It’s really not even about Jonah. It’s about God. The fish is only mentioned 4 times. Jonah is mentioned 18 times. But God is named 38 times. God is the hero in the book of Jonah. God is the One who calls, the One who pursues, the One who saves. Jonah is the one who runs from God’s call and argues with God about His mercy towards Nineveh.
We’ve all heard stories about a man catching a big fish. But God took a big fish and caught Himself a man! Jesus called this story a “sign” pointing to Him (Matt. 12:39-42). For Christ died for our sins and lay in the tomb for three days before being raised, defeating sin, death and the grave in order to save us!
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are our mighty hero! For You sent Your Son to rescue us from our sin. Through faith in Him, we have been saved and adopted as Your children. We praise You for Your wonderful works. Strengthen us to tell the story of Your Son to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 14, 2016
Many think the book of Jonah is about a fish. It’s not. It’s really not even about Jonah. It’s about God. The fish is only mentioned 4 times. Jonah is mentioned 18 times. But God is named 38 times. God is the hero in the book of Jonah. God is the One who calls, the One who pursues, the One who saves. Jonah is the one who runs from God’s call and argues with God about His mercy towards Nineveh. We’ve all heard stories about a man catching a big fish. But God took a big fish and caught Himself a man! This story is a “sign” (Matt. 12:39-42) pointing to its fulfillment in Christ, who died for our sins and lay in the tomb for three days before being raised, defeating sin, death and the grave in order to save us!
From: December 14, 2015
People think the book of Jonah is about a fish. It’s not. It’s really not even about Jonah. It’s about God. The fish is only mentioned 4 times. Jonah is mentioned 18 times. But God is named 38 times. God is the hero in the book of Jonah. God is the One who calls, the One who pursues, the One who saves. Jonah is the one who runs from God’s call and argues with God about His mercy towards Nineveh. We’ve all heard stories about a man catching a big fish. But God took a big fish and caught Himself a man! This story is a sign pointing to its fulfillment in Christ, who died for our sins and lay in the tomb for three days before being raised, defeating sin, death and the grave in order to save us!