How Deep Can You Go That God Is Not There?

How Deep Can You Go That God Is Not There?
Jonah 2:5-10

Opening Remarks:

1. The reading of Ps. 104 reminds me of how God is in charge and He knows I need this.
2. When the feeling of being expelled from the sight of God is real, NEVERTHELESS:
3. Experience the affliction with Jonah and watch God bring him back from Sheol.
   I. Jonah's condition sees him far away from God (5-7).

A. He is encompassed by water to the point of death (5). H
B. He is engulfed (surrounded) by the deep.
C. The descent to the netherworld - Descended to the roots of the mountains – (6a).
D. Bars surrounded him to the point he felt trapped with no way out.
E. He had (6c) descended to the pit(grave) & been delivered-Ps. 88:3,4.
F. The faint experience - Fainting away – (7) He was going down for the 3rd time.
II. Jonah's lesson in faithfulness - (8).
A. Empty Vanities will create a hindrance to the pathway God has for the believer.
B. Human life is like a passing shadow– Ps. 144:4
C. Man's thoughts are a mere breath– Ps. 94:11
III. Jonah unloads his feelings and thoughts (9).
A. I will sacrifice with the voice of thanksgiving.
B. I will make good on the vow I made.
C. I will continue to acknowledge that you possess salvation.
D. Obedience clears the way for God to do His work. Disobedience can delay God's work.
I. Jonah experiences the great power of God (10)
A. God hears Jonah's prayer of repentance and responds with mercy.
B. God reminds Jonah of who is in charge with a loud thud.

Closing Comments:

1. When the feeling of being expelled from the sight of God is real, NEVERTHELESS:
2. It is possible to make good on our promises to God.