“And Count the Patience of Our Lord as Salvation”

The first chapter of Jonah is full of God’s patience! Behold and bless and worship and thank the Lord!

Jonah was a prophet of God; he heard God’s instructions to preach in Nineveh; he thumbed his nose at the LORD and defied Him, trying to flee “away from the presence of the Lord” (1:3). But in His patience God did not let Jonah go—He chased Him!

You know the story… God “hurled a great wind upon the sea” (1:4) and caused the lot to fall to Jonah (1:7). He used Jonah to bear witness to the ship’s crew about “the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land” (1:9). And when the sailors asked Jonah what to do (because Jonah’s God made the sea and surely controlled the sea) in order to calm the storm and save the ship, the prophet preferred to remain rebellious and die, rather than repent! So Jonah was pitched over the side to drown, and who could charge God with unfairness if He had let Jonah sink to the bottom!

But, behold God’s patience! Jonah did not drown; God pursued him. “The LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (1:17).

Believer, this is what God does for us when we know what He requires of us, and yet we choose to trust our own judgment and love sin more! Jonah was foolish; we are foolish. But God is patient! “But you, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). He pursues us. He shows us that defiance will lead to shipwreck. And He beckons to us: “Repent! I will cleanse and forgive and restore you, for My glory, and My Son’s name’s sake, and for your joy” (1 Jon 1:9; John 15:11).

Let us rejoice in the Lord’s patience with us and be drawn in the wonder of His saving, sanctifying grace to eagerly trust and obey Him!