From the Edges – Walking with Jesus-

From the Edges – Walking with Jesus

A Desire to Return –

Pastor Calvin Cook – July 1, 2024

A Desire for Redemption –

Scripture focus – John 6:66-69 (ESV) – John 6:66-69  After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

In the last couple of weeks, I have heard from several about their doubt in their relationship with God. All have confessed their belief in God and that God is there, but doubt that God cares or wants to have a relationship with them. I grieve with those who doubt as there are times in my life that I doubt as well. I even have had times in my life where I have walked away from God only to find that through it all, God’s care and teaching has continued.

I recently listened to the despair that someone was going through. Though confessing to many shortcomings, they still confessed their love of God and was desiring a better way that truly can only be found in a life with Jesus. I relate, I have been there as well.

While searching for the words to share, I thought back to the words, ideas, and prayers that brought me back. I find no better place to turn than to the prayer of Jonah, Chapter 2. We know Jonah’s story of spending three days in the belly of a great fish but do we know this great story of redemption that is found and realized when we confess our sins and seek deliverance. 

This morning, I am meditating on these words and would ask that you would pray through these words to be released from what it is that is holding you back from knowing and moving into the great love of God that is available to you.

The Prayer of Jonah

Jonah 2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. 3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away    from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. 7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

There is nothing worth more that will ever compare to the Love of God that is found in Christ the Lord.