Finding Hope in the Depths
Sometimes we find ourselves in a mess of our own making. Perhaps you've sat in darkness, wondering how you ended up there and unable to see a way out. While none of us have likely been swallowed by a whale, at one point or another, we've all been where Jonah was, at rock bottom, facing the consequences of our choices.
The Downward Journey
In the book of Jonah, we witness a consistent downward movement. Jonah "went down to Joppa," then "went down into the ship," then "laid down to sleep," and finally "sank down into the depths of the sea" before being "swallowed down into the belly of the great fish."
In Biblical worldview, moving downward isn't just physical, it's theological. To move downward is to journey away from God. Jonah's quest was to flee "from the face of God," so his journey is described as moving downward, ultimately to Sheol, the realm of the dead.
From inside the fish, Jonah prayed:
"In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry... To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit." (Jonah 2:2, 6)
The Pivotal Turn
At his lowest point, Jonah doesn't wallow in despair. Instead, he says he "will look again toward God's holy temple" (Jonah 2:4). When he can go no further down, Jonah chooses to look upward to God's dwelling place.
This act of turning is crucial. It's the Hebrew word "shuv," which means "repent," to turn from the direction you're heading and turn back toward God. To repent is quite literally "pivotal," not just saying you're sorry but changing direction.
Remarkably, this is the first time in the story when Jonah addresses God directly. Even when God initially called him, Jonah didn't respond, he just ran away! Even during the storm, while sailors cried out to God for mercy, Jonah remained silent toward God. Only after God rescues him does Jonah recognize the depths of God's mercy.
Jesus Has Been There Too
Jesus himself used Jonah's story as a metaphor about his own journey:
"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40)
It's remarkable that Jesus chooses to identify with us not only at our best moments but also at our worst and lowest points. Jesus willingly took upon himself the worst the world could give him because he knows that sometimes, that's what the world gives us too.
From the cross, Jesus quoted Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1). Jesus chose the grueling way of the cross to redeem even our darkest hours and to remind us that even when we feel far from God, God is never far from us.
The sign of Jonah reveals this profound truth: What looks like defeat is just a precursor to victory. What looks like the end is just a "not yet," an interlude on the way to the completion of God's saving work.
Finding Your Way Back Home
Like the prodigal son who "came to his senses" while feeding pigs (Luke 15:17), Jonah recognized how far he was from where God had called him. Both hit rock bottom and realized the only way out was to turn and go back to where they were supposed to be all along.
The good news is that Jesus' rescue mission continues today! He is still working to seek and save all who are lost and feeling far from God. He is still chasing after every person who has run away from home.
Putting It Into Practice
When you find yourself at rock bottom:
Look Up - Like Jonah, choose to look toward God rather than resigning yourself to your circumstances.
Remember You're Not Alone - Jesus has experienced the depths of human suffering and stands with you in your darkest moments.
Turn Around - Repentance isn't just feeling sorry; it's changing direction. Take one step toward home.
Trust God's Mercy - Remember that God pursued Jonah even when he ran away. God's mercy reaches deeper than the waters that threaten to engulf us.
Today, may we recognize Jesus for who he is and follow him back home to our Father, trusting that he knows the way because he is the way.
Reflection
Where in your life do you feel like you've been "going downward," moving away from God rather than toward God?
Have you ever experienced a "rock bottom" moment that ultimately became a turning point in your relationship with God? What changed in that moment?
How does it affect you to know that Jesus has experienced the depths of human suffering and feeling far from God? Does this change how you view your own struggles?
In what ways might God be pursuing you right now, even if you've been running in the opposite direction?
Application
Today, take a moment to recognize where you are in your journey. If you're at rock bottom, remember that this is not the end of your story. Like Jonah, you can look up toward God's temple even from the depths. If you've been running from God's call, today can be your turning point.
Remember that Jesus has been where you are. He chose to experience the depths of human suffering to redeem every part of our existence. No matter how far you feel from God, he is never far from you.
Make a conscious decision to turn back toward God today. This act of "shuv," of repentance, is not just about saying you're sorry, but about changing direction and moving toward God rather than away from him. Trust that Jesus knows the way home because he is the way.
Prayer
Lord my God, I call to you from whatever depths I find myself in today. Thank you that even when I feel furthest from you, you have never stopped pursuing me. Thank you for sending Jesus, who experienced the ultimate depths so that I could be rescued. When I hit rock bottom, help me to look up to you rather than resign myself to despair. Give me the courage to turn around and journey back to you. Thank you that what looks like defeat is just a precursor to victory, and what looks like the end is just a "not yet" in your hands. I place my trust in you today, knowing that salvation comes from you alone. Amen.
