Jonah’s Cry from the Belly of the Beast
Jonah 2:1-3

I. The Crisis of Confrontation
A. THE CONFRONTATION OF CONSEQUENCES: “Out of the belly of hell” (Jonah 2:2)
1. The Circumstance: Swallowed by a great fish, a terrifying and hopeless situation
a. Inescapable:
b. Inhumane:
2. The Consequence: A wake-up call for Jonah, realizing his disobedience and the gravity of his sin
II. The Cry of Confession
A. THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY: “Thou hast cast me into” (Jonah 2:3)
1. The Admission of Guilt: Jonah’s recognition of his disobedience and rebellion against God
2. The Aspiration for Assurance: A desire for God’s forgiveness and redemption
a. Affirmation of Faith:
b. Acknowledgment of Helplessness:
c. Assurance of Salvation:
III. The Conversion of Conviction
A. THE CHANGE OF CONSCIOUSNESS: “For thou hast cast me into the deep” (Jonah 2:3)
1. The Conversion from Fear to Faith: Jonah’s focus shifts from self-preservation to trust in God
2. The Cry for Deliverance: A plea for rescue from the belly of the beast
IV. A Heart Changed by Trial
A. THE PATTERN FOR OUR PRAYERS: Crying out to God in our times of need
a. Petition:
b. Praise:
c. Purpose:
B. THE PROMISE FOR OUR LIVES: God will hear our cries and deliver us from our troubles
a. Provisional promise:
b. Personal promise:
C. THE PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES: To praise God for His deliverance and redemption
a. Praise expresses gratitude:
b. Praise pleases God: