When God called Jonah to preach in Nineveh, Jonah didn’t hesitate—he flat-out ran. Nineveh wasn’t just another city. It was violent, corrupt, and one of Israel’s greatest enemies. Jonah didn’t want to warn them. He wanted them destroyed. So he booked passage to Tarshish, the farthest place west he could go.

But running from God never ends well. A storm came, the sailors panicked, and Jonah admitted he was the cause. To save the crew, he told them to throw him overboard. They did—and instantly, the sea grew calm. The sailors ended up worshiping God. Even Jonah’s rebellion became a witness to the nations.

Then comes the twist: “But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah” (Jonah 1:17). At first glance, that sounds like judgment. A runaway prophet, swallowed whole. But look closer—the whale wasn’t the punishment. It was the lifeboat. If Jonah had stayed in the water, he would’ve drowned. Instead, God sent an unusual rescue vehicle—a giant fish—to hold him safely for three days.

Inside the fish, Jonah prayed. His words were raw and desperate, but they revealed something deeper: even at his lowest point, Jonah realized God’s mercy hadn’t abandoned him. “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me” (Jonah 2:2). The fish wasn’t the end of his story—it was the restart.

When Jonah finally obeyed and went to Nineveh, his message was only eight words long: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” No elaborate preaching. No fiery theatrics. Just eight blunt words. Yet the entire city—from the king down to the animals—repented. And God relented from judgment.

Ironically, Jonah was furious. He was glad God saved him, but he hated that God saved his enemies. He sulked under a plant, more upset about his own comfort than about 120,000 lives spared. And God’s final words cut deep: “Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (Jonah 4:11).

Jonah’s story reminds us that what looks like punishment may actually be mercy. Sometimes the storm is God’s way of stopping us from running further. Sometimes the fish—whatever form it takes—is God’s way of keeping us alive until we’re ready to turn back.

The whale wasn’t Jonah’s punishment. It was his second chance.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Lord, You are merciful, patient, and creative in the ways You rescue us.

Confession: Forgive me for the times I’ve run from Your calling or resented Your mercy toward others.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for sending rescue when I deserved judgment.

Supplication: Give me a heart that celebrates Your mercy—for me, and for those I find hardest to love.

In Jesus name, Amen

“10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman

Thanks for letting us be part of how you start your day with God.

Remember, God doesn’t just stop storms… he provides rescues that don’t always look like rescues.

See you tomorrow,

Zach and the Daily Devotion team