Release 'Jonah' into your situation

Jonah 1:4
4 But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.

Do you feel like you are “about to be broken up” in the storms of life?

Jonah 1:5
5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load…

Who are you crying out to? And are you trying to “lighten the load” through your own human efforts (the flesh)?

Jonah 1:5
5 … But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.

Jonah means “dove”. The dove is a picture of the Holy Spirit and of peace. Remember how the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus at His baptism (Mathew 3:16), and how Noah released a dove which came back with an olive leaf in its mouth (Genesis 8:10-11) -- the symbol of peace today?

Where is the Holy Spirit in your situation? Have you chucked Him in the lowest part of your ship? Is He lying there dormant waiting for you to release Him into your situation?

Jonah 1:6
6 So the captain came to him [Jonah], and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”

Call on the right God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will not perish (Acts 2:21).

Jonah 1:11-13
11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?” -- for the sea was growing more tempestuous.
12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.”
13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.

Again, your self-efforts will just not cut it. You have to do it God’s way.

Jonah 1:15
15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

Bring up the Holy Spirit from your innermost belly and release Him into your situation, and there will be peace. How do you do that? I believe it is by praying in the Holy Spirit, that is, praying in tongues.

Why can there be peace? Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights -- a picture of our Lord’s death (Matthew 12:40). The chastisement for our peace was laid upon Him (Isaiah 53:5). The price has been paid!

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