The Sovereignty of God

A fourteen-part quiet time series from the book of Jonah, to conclude on April 11, 2025

By Jasmine Britto, Kerala, India

Part 7

Jonah 2:9-10

"But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”

Inside the belly of the fish, Jonah reaches a humbling realization—salvation belongs to the Lord. He understands that neither he nor anyone else can earn or grant salvation; it is solely God’s decision. 

Romans 5:8 affirms this truth: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God didn’t wait for us to be worthy of His sacrifice—He gave His life while we were still sinners. Salvation is not something we deserve, nor can we claim it as our merit. It is a gift of God, extended to all, regardless of the depth of their sins. We must never assume that we are more deserving of salvation than others based on our actions. God's mercy is for everyone.

Verse 10: "And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land."

Caption: Jonah and the Whale (1621) by Pieter Lastman

Once again, we witness God's absolute authority over His creation. Just as He appointed the fish to swallow Jonah, He now commands it to release him. This illustrates a profound truth—creation obeys God. He is in control, sovereign over everything He has made.

Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for exactly as long as necessary—for his heart to turn back to God. Likewise, God often allows us to endure difficult situations until His refining work in us is complete. He knows the perfect time to bring us out.

We often pray for immediate relief from hardships, but sometimes, in His grace, God allows us to stay in those trials long enough to fulfill His purpose. Jonah was not delivered until his repentance was complete. He wasn’t just sorry—he had come to trust God again.

PRAYER FOCUS

Let’s pray for a deeper trust in God’s sovereignty. Ask Him to help you submit to His authority and embrace His purpose in every season of life.