We’ve learned certain things along the way, that may have hindered us.

I recall someone using a verse that seems to say that God will not hear a sinner’s prayer. Well, may we say, if that was totally true in the way some of us had been taught, none of us would be here.

I know that there is a verse to that effect. However, it would do us well, to interpret things in the context of what is written. If we are full of the Spirit, we can discern “all” of the truth.

Let’s turn and look at Jonah.

“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God, out of the fish’s belly.”

He wasn’t inside a Church. It continues,

“I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and He heard me.”

It was in the worse situation he had ever been in.

“Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.”

You know, we might have learned a great deal from prodigals we’ve met along the way. Perhaps they could have saved us, a lot of heartbreak and sorrow.

For example, we can all quote the scripture that says the gifts and calling of God, are without repentance. But those who have been swallowed up in the fish’s belly, can surely affirm something.

No matter how far you try to run, or what kind of mess you get into, you’re still called. And that will never go away. The gifts God has given you, will remain intact also.

I fear we’ve been shallow in some things. If we had allowed the Holy Ghost to teach us and guide us, we’d know much more.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul. We surely must see, that trouble ran very deep. He went on to say, “the weeds were wrapped about my head.”

We are likely telling somebody’s story here; it is mine also. Dear LORD help us, some of the terrible places many of us ended up in.

The lows we came to, the sickness and pain we brought ourselves to, might only be explained, by those who have been there.

It’s true, that God is likely not going to hear you, if your heart and spirit are not contrite. If we just want out of a situation, and we have no intention of changing, our chances of being delivered are slim.

“But for the mercy of God go I.”

I heard that statement from people who came from the depths of alcohol and drug addiction. Does it seem a bit strange, that those who have been delivered from the belly of the fish, can have more compassion and mercy on other failing people?

We condemn Jonah and Elijah for their feelings after God had used them in a special way. Most would not know, that those who are gifted that have been mightily used of the Spirit, can be very weak afterward.

They may even be depressed a bit. That’s another subject. But let us not forget, that these are human bodies and minds.

The devil tempted The LORD when he was very weak. Many of us, heard these things from prophets and teachers that traveled among us. It’s true.

There is a verse I pray every day of my life.

“The angel of The LORD, encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”

It may seem that deliverance will never come. And you can get very weary in the process. We’re even talking about some kind of deep hole, that we did not bring upon ourselves.

Deliverance will come, because He said it would.

Tribulation allowed by The LORD, will last for a season. But sooner or later, we will reach that deliverance.

 

~ Robert Blackburn

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Robert Blackburn

 

 

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