Evening Scripture

Jonah 2
“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.

You hurled me into the depths, 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, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.

“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 turn away from God’s love for them.
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.’”

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Evening Reflection

Jonah found himself in the pit of a fish. Can we pause for a minute to imagine the reality? Was it a shark, whale, or something entirely different? When I heard the story as a child in church, I imagined Jonah sitting inside a whale with plenty of space to think and pray. Now that I imagine it a little more, I’m wondering if things were really, really tight. Definitely wet. Could Jonah breathe? Was he gasping for air as he cried out to His Lord–the only one who could save him? What other misfortunate sea creature surrounded Jonah as he fought for his last breath? Was he completely disoriented as the fish dived deep into the depths of the sea and swam fervently back to dry land? Whew.

Jonah cried, “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” (Jonah 2:2). For Jonah, his (literal) deep was in the belly of a fish. His prayer was both honest and raw, clinging to the belief that God hears when we call out from our own deep. So tonight I ask you this: “What is your deep?”

Are you in a place where things seem tight, uncomfortable–where you’re fighting to keep afloat? Are you in a place where you feel God’s abundance and provision? Where is the deep you cry out from?

In our reading tonight, Jonah acknowledges, “You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me” (2:3). God was there, ever present, when He allowed Jonah to experience what he went through. If we could see what God sees, we would never question what He allows. When we apply this to Jonah, God had a specific purpose and will for Jonah to accomplish. The belly was a result of His disobedience, but not all of our deep places are from disobedience. Sometimes God allows us to walk through hell for a purpose. Jonah had to walk through this kind of deep to bring a message he would have never had otherwise. Can I encourage you? Your deep is purposeful. Your deep is meaningful. Your deep has utter significance. Cry out to Him, because in the deep, He is with you. 

At the end of our reading, Jonah cried, “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple” (2:7). I think the most powerful phrase Jonah said was “I remembered you.” If I were to list how many Scripture verses tell us to remember the Lord, we would be here all night! Here are a few:
“Remember how the Lord your God led you…” (Deuteronomy 8:2)
“Be careful that you do not forget the Lord…” (Deuteronomy 6:12)
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord…” (Psalm 77:11-12)
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead…” (2 Timothy 2:8)
“Remember the wonders he has done…” (1 Chronicles 16:12)

Tonight, let us remember all that He has done in our lives. Let us remember He is with us in our deep. Let us be encouraged: His plan is much greater than we can see in our present circumstances. What a joy to be seen and used for His glory!

Evening Prayer

God,
As deep cries out to deep, we know you are with us tonight. Be near and renew our strength and hope. I pray for the dear reader who is struggling in their own deep. Breathe fresh life and peace. Call to their memory your faithfulness and love in each detail of their lives. We surrender to your greater plan, Jesus. Use us. Lead us. For in our testimony, we will give you all the glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Evening Scripture
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/jonah/2.html">Jonah 2</a> &ldquo;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.
You hurled me into the depths,&nbsp;into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.
I said, &lsquo;I have been banished&nbsp;from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.&rsquo; The engulfing waters threatened me,&nbsp;the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains&nbsp;I sank down;&nbsp;the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.
&ldquo;When my life was ebbing away,&nbsp;I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.
&ldquo;Those who cling to worthless idols&nbsp;turn away from God&rsquo;s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise,&nbsp;will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, &lsquo;Salvation comes from the Lord.&rsquo;&rdquo;
And the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Evening Reflection
Jonah found himself in the pit of a fish. Can we pause for a minute to imagine the reality? Was it a shark, whale, or something entirely different? When I heard the story as a child in church, I imagined Jonah sitting inside a whale with plenty of space to think and pray. Now that I imagine it a little more, I&rsquo;m wondering if things were really, really tight. Definitely wet. Could Jonah breathe? Was he gasping for air as he cried out to His Lord&ndash;the only one who could save him? What other misfortunate sea creature surrounded Jonah as he fought for his last breath? Was he completely disoriented as the fish dived deep into the depths of the sea and swam fervently back to dry land?&nbsp;Whew.
Jonah cried, &ldquo;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&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/jonah/2-2.html">Jonah 2:2</a>). For Jonah, his (literal) deep was in the belly of a fish. His prayer was both honest and raw, clinging to the belief that God hears when we call out from our own deep. So tonight I ask you this: &ldquo;What is your deep?&rdquo;
Are you in a place where things seem tight, uncomfortable&ndash;where you&rsquo;re fighting to keep afloat? Are you in a place where you feel God&rsquo;s abundance and provision? Where is the deep you cry out from?
In our reading tonight, Jonah acknowledges, &ldquo;You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me&rdquo; (2:3). God was&nbsp;there, ever present, when He allowed Jonah to experience what he went through. If we could see what God sees, we would never question what He allows. When we apply this to Jonah, God had a specific purpose and will for Jonah to accomplish. The belly was a result of His disobedience, but not all of our deep places are from disobedience. Sometimes God allows us to walk through hell for a purpose. Jonah had to walk through this kind of deep to bring a message he would have never had otherwise. Can I encourage you? Your deep is purposeful. Your deep is meaningful. Your deep has utter significance. Cry out to Him, because in the deep, He is&nbsp;with&nbsp;you.&nbsp;
At the end of our reading, Jonah cried, &ldquo;When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple&rdquo; (2:7). I think the most powerful phrase Jonah said was &ldquo;I remembered you.&rdquo; If I were to list how many Scripture verses tell us to&nbsp;remember the Lord, we would be here all night! Here are a few:
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Remember how the Lord your God led you&hellip;&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/deuteronomy/8-2.html">Deuteronomy 8:2</a>)</li>
<li>&ldquo;Be careful that you do not forget the Lord&hellip;&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/deuteronomy/6-12.html">Deuteronomy 6:12</a>)</li>
<li>&ldquo;I will remember the deeds of the Lord&hellip;&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/passage/?q=psalm+77:11-12">Psalm 77:11-12</a>)</li>
<li>&ldquo;Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead&hellip;&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/2-timothy/2-8.html">2 Timothy 2:8</a>)</li>
<li>&ldquo;Remember the wonders he has done&hellip;&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/1-chronicles/16-12.html">1 Chronicles 16:12</a>)</li>
</ul>
Tonight, let us&nbsp;remember&nbsp;all that He has done in our lives. Let us remember He is&nbsp;with&nbsp;us in our deep. Let us be encouraged: His plan is much greater than we can see in our present circumstances. What a joy to be seen and used for His glory!
Evening Prayer
God, As deep cries out to deep, we know you are with us tonight. Be near and renew our strength and hope. I pray for the dear reader who is struggling in their own deep. Breathe fresh life and peace. Call to their memory your faithfulness and love in each detail of their lives. We surrender to your greater plan, Jesus. Use us. Lead us. For in our testimony, we will give you all the glory. In Jesus&rsquo; name, Amen.
Want More?
If tonight&rsquo;s episode blessed you, be sure to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962">follow the show</a> so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your Nightly Scripture — 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Crying Out to God From the Deep (Jonah 2)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ad5849a3-77ba-4d77-9843-b46700c0658d/transcript