In The Belly Of The Fish - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) March 31, 2026

How many of us remember the story of Jonah? I suspect a lot of those born into Christianity must have heard of it all the way back in Sunday School.

Looking at his experience, we see he intentionally disobeyed the Lord, and God raised a ruckus around him. The ship he was on almost descended into the depths of the sea. However, Jonah told his fellow passengers to throw him overboard because his God was responsible for their plight. Once they did, the sea calmed, and they believed in God (Jonah 1:12-15).

Despite his defiance, the Bible tells us in Jonah 1:17 - Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Praise God that the Lord did not abandon His prophet even while actively being rebellious. Instead, He placed him in a safe location for three days.

Many of us are like Jonah. We refused to obey the instructions God gave us. Look at your life, does it seem like the waters around you are in turmoil? If so, your disobedience may be the cause. And like Jonah, you could have been placed in the belly of a fish. You are stuck, and everything you have done to get out of your predicament just isn't working.

The good news is that Jesus died to afford you grace. And just as Jonah was able to come out of that fish, you too can get back on track. However, notice what Jonah had to do. He prayed, exalted God, and admitted that he'd been wrong; he repented. None of that changed his situation, though. It wasn't until he gave praise and worship that God commanded the fish to let him go (Jonah 2:10).

And if you pay attention to the story, you'll notice that Jonah was deposited at the very place God had originally sent him - Nineveh. His disobedience was simply a delay in his journey. He still had to go to that land and do what God wanted him to do. And so, for three days, he walked across Nineveh, declaring the coming judgment of God for their sins. The result was that an entire nation repented and turned from sin, with fasting. They earned God's mercy, and this act of repentance staved off their destruction for an additional 150 years.

Long before Jonah's story began in the Bible, he'd been a servant of God. This is why he knew it was his God troubling the waters while on the ship. He was not unfamiliar with the Almighty. And this was further highlighted by what he said when the Ninevites repented. He complained about God's compassion and admitted that he hadn't wanted to give them the prophecy because he knew they could access God's mercy. Those aren't the words of someone new to the Lord and His ways.

You, too, are familiar with God and His ways. You know He is gracious and merciful. Just as He provided a fish to keep Jonah safe while he cooled his jets and came to his senses, the Lord has done the same for you. That is why, despite all the troubles you experienced in your season of disobedience, the worst has not happened to you. And please believe me when I say things could have been worse.

Dear brother and sister in Christ, you are reading this message as a reminder to do what Jonah got right. Pray, exalt God, admit you were wrong to disobey, and repent. Then bow down and worship Him. Give God praise, acknowledging that He has complete control over your life and all things. Let Him command the fish to deliver you where you'd struggled to go in your disobedience. And once there, do as He instructs, remembering that He, and not you, is sovereign. You are His servant subject to His authority. It is He who instructs, and you follow.

I pray that the Lord will help you in your journey to obey and serve Him as He deems fit and not as you desire, IJMN, Amen. We shall use Jonah's example to thoroughly pray for freedom from the belly of the fish in today's last 10 minutes, so be sure to join us for fellowship. Between now and then, ask God to remind you how you disobeyed, and once He reveals this, please repent. It shall be well with you, IJN Amen.

As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:

1. Let God Have His Way

2. God's Discipline

3. Dear Peppers 1: God isn't a burden

4. Give God What He Wants To Get What You Want

5. Appeal to The God of Compassion

6. God Is Waiting On You

7. Does Sin Eliminate Us From God's Plans?

8. Why Don’t We Ask God First?

9. Is God Unfair?

10. Don't Reject God's Process With Grumbling

11. God's Discipline Through Hardship

12. Is God Really To Blame?

13. Topic: Faith, Trust, Belief in God

14. Topic: Jonah

15. Topic: Obey/Obedience

16. Topic: Paul

17. Topic: Submit, Submission

18. Topic: Suffering