DAY 15
JONAH HIDES
Nothing God created is hidden from Him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us responsible for everything we do.
-Hebrews 4:13
REFLECT
Jonah lived during a time when many of God’s people had turned away from Him. The Jews had been taken from their homes and forced to live as captives in foreign lands. One day, God gave Jonah a mission: He told him to go to the city of Nineveh and warn the people that their city would be destroyed if they didn’t turn from their evil ways. But instead of obeying, Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship heading to the farthest place he could find, hoping to escape God’s call. But Jonah soon learned that no one can run from God.
As the ship sailed, God sent a powerful storm that threatened to tear it apart. Terrified, the sailors cried out for help and began throwing cargo overboard to lighten the ship. They begged Jonah to pray to his God, hoping He might save them. Jonah knew the storm wouldn’t stop until he obeyed, so he told the sailors, “Throw me overboard, and the storm will calm.”
Reluctantly, the sailors tossed Jonah into the sea. Immediately, the wind died down and the waters became calm. Jonah sank beneath the waves, but God wasn’t finished with him. Instead of letting Jonah drown, God sent a huge fish to swallow him. Inside the dark belly of the fish, Jonah finally stopped running. He prayed to God, asking for forgiveness and promising to obey.
After three days, the fish rose to the surface and spit Jonah out onto dry land. This time, Jonah obeyed. He went to Nineveh and warned the people to turn from their sin and return to God. Jonah delivered a powerful message: even though they had run far from God, He still loved them and wanted to save them.
Amazingly, the people of Nineveh listened. They repented, and because of their humility, God spared their city.
Jonah’s story points to an even greater messenger—Jesus. Just as Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish, Jesus would spend three days in the tomb. And just as Jonah brought a message of salvation to Nineveh, Jesus would bring hope and forgiveness to the whole world, offering salvation to everyone who turns to Him.
DISCUSSION
Why do you think Jonah chose to run away from God’s command instead of obeying Him?
When have experienced God’s mercy for a mistake you made?
PRAY
Father, thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we can be forgiven. We thank You because we don’t have to hide from You or be alone.
FAMILY ACTIVITY
Play “Hide and Seek”! Let your child pretend to be Jonah, and you try to find them. Use a big blanket to swallow them up and spit them out onto dry land (your bed)!
Nothing God created is hidden from Him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us responsible for everything we do.
-Hebrews 4:13
REFLECT
Jonah lived during a time when many of God’s people had turned away from Him. The Jews had been taken from their homes and forced to live as captives in foreign lands. One day, God gave Jonah a mission: He told him to go to the city of Nineveh and warn the people that their city would be destroyed if they didn’t turn from their evil ways. But instead of obeying, Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship heading to the farthest place he could find, hoping to escape God’s call. But Jonah soon learned that no one can run from God.
As the ship sailed, God sent a powerful storm that threatened to tear it apart. Terrified, the sailors cried out for help and began throwing cargo overboard to lighten the ship. They begged Jonah to pray to his God, hoping He might save them. Jonah knew the storm wouldn’t stop until he obeyed, so he told the sailors, “Throw me overboard, and the storm will calm.”
Reluctantly, the sailors tossed Jonah into the sea. Immediately, the wind died down and the waters became calm. Jonah sank beneath the waves, but God wasn’t finished with him. Instead of letting Jonah drown, God sent a huge fish to swallow him. Inside the dark belly of the fish, Jonah finally stopped running. He prayed to God, asking for forgiveness and promising to obey.
After three days, the fish rose to the surface and spit Jonah out onto dry land. This time, Jonah obeyed. He went to Nineveh and warned the people to turn from their sin and return to God. Jonah delivered a powerful message: even though they had run far from God, He still loved them and wanted to save them.
Amazingly, the people of Nineveh listened. They repented, and because of their humility, God spared their city.
Jonah’s story points to an even greater messenger—Jesus. Just as Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish, Jesus would spend three days in the tomb. And just as Jonah brought a message of salvation to Nineveh, Jesus would bring hope and forgiveness to the whole world, offering salvation to everyone who turns to Him.
DISCUSSION
Why do you think Jonah chose to run away from God’s command instead of obeying Him?
When have experienced God’s mercy for a mistake you made?
PRAY
Father, thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we can be forgiven. We thank You because we don’t have to hide from You or be alone.
FAMILY ACTIVITY
Play “Hide and Seek”! Let your child pretend to be Jonah, and you try to find them. Use a big blanket to swallow them up and spit them out onto dry land (your bed)!