For some reason, people sometimes tell big lies when it comes to fishing. You know—what was really a small fry becomes a man-eating shark in the retelling of the story.

 

But that is nothing compared to a really incredible story in the Old Testament book of Jonah.

 

It seems the prophet didn’t want to preach in the pagan city of Nineveh, so he sailed away on a ship. He forgot that God controls the sea and everything in it, and Jonah found himself tossed overboard, and then swallowed by a huge fish.

 

Jonah 1:17 says, “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

 

Let’s just say that Jonah learned his lesson, and God delivered him in a dramatic way.

 

This story is also a picture of Jesus, lying for three days in the tomb, only to be raised to life by the Father.

 

He will do the same for you, if you call on Him to rescue you!

 

Let’s pray.

 

Lord, when life swallows us up, you are there for us, never forgetting us. We praise you for your provision. In Jesus’ name, amen.