Daily Worship

A future and a hope

January 04, 2013 0 0

Jonah 2:1-9

​From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said:

“In my distress I called to the LORD,

and he answered me.

From the depths of the grave I called for help,

and you listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the deep,

into the very heart of the seas,

and the currents swirled about me;

all your waves and breakers

swept over me.

I said, `I have been banished

from your sight;

yet I will look again

toward your holy temple.’

The engulfing waters threatened me,

the deep surrounded me;

seaweed was wrapped around my head.

To the roots of the mountains I sank down;

the earth beneath barred me in forever.

But you brought my life up from the pit,

O LORD my God.

“When my life was ebbing away,

I remembered you, LORD,

and my prayer rose to you,

to your holy temple.

“Those who cling to worthless idols

forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

But I, with a song of thanksgiving,

will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good.

Salvation comes from the LORD.”

​God, I can hardly believe this

It should have been the end of me

But here I am –

alive

breathing

with a future and a hope

I thought you had banished me for ever

You knocked me down

but you’re picking me up

You turned away from me

but now you’re bringing me back

I was cheesed off with you

but you’re not cheesed off with me

Amazing!

God, I thank you

You heard my prayer

You’ve been good to me

though I deserve nothing from you

I’ll do your will now

I’ll do whatever you ask of me

I’ll go wherever you send me

Amen