“I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me” (Jonah 2:2).
In chapter 1 of his book, the prophet confesses he missed the on-board prayer meeting. But something happened at the end of that chapter that certainly improved his prayer interest. “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly” (2:1). That would do it!
What I find interesting (and very encouraging) is this: the first chapter could be titled, “I ignored God,” while chapter 2 is captioned, “And He answered me.” Yet perhaps the most shocking fact about this story, above all the shocking details—a fish tale par excellence, a biodegradable umbrella, a worm that does God’s will, and a whole city that repents at the message of a reluctant missionary—is this: our Lord Jesus linked Himself with Jonah, not once but twice! He identified Himself with Jonah’s evangelism (Lk 11:32) and Jonah’s experience (Mt 12:39-40). And He links Himself with you and me, and hears and answers us, too.