Our Daily Devotion for Thursday, August 20, 2020

​14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.         Jonah 1:14-16
 
In this very familiar story about Jonah, God has a task for Jonah to do, and Jonah tries to run away from it. On board the ship, a terrible storm hits, putting all in danger. Jonah sees this as the punishment for his sinful existence. He understands that God will only be satisfied when if he turns and “throws away” the sins in his life. By doing that (symbolically by being thrown overboard), God saves him through His divine mercy by being in “the great fish” for three days and three nights. Afterwards, he submits to God and does the work God needs from him. In this book lies a wonderful story for all of us !!
 
Let us pray together :  Loving and Merciful One, we pray that you continue to rain down Your kindness and forgiveness to us, a sinful people. Teach us, Lord, how important it is that we forgive as You forgive. By throwing away the sinful life, You tell us we can grow closer to You, learn more of Your mighty acts, grow in our understanding of what you desire from us. Help us to be a people who love, not hate ; a people who build, not tear down ; a people who desire righteousness, not sinfulness.  All this we continue to pray in the Name of Christ, our Savior.   Amen.
 
Yours in Christ  ,  Rollie

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