Jonah and the Big Fish

God gives Jonah a big job, and even when Jonah runs the other way, God still loves him and gives him a second chance.

One quiet day, God spoke to a man named Jonah. “Go to the big city of Nineveh,” God said, “and warn the people to stop their wrong ways and turn to Me.” But Jonah did not want to go. The people of Nineveh had been very unkind, and Jonah did not think they deserved another chance.

So Jonah turned and hurried the other way. He climbed onto a big boat that was sailing far away to Tarshish. The sails puffed in the wind, and the water carried him away from Nineveh. Jonah thought he could hide from God out there. But God always sees us, and God always, always cares.

Out on the deep water, dark clouds rolled in, and a big storm began to blow. The wind howled, and tall waves rocked the boat up and down, up and down. The sailors held on tight, very afraid. Jonah knew in his heart that the storm had come because he ran away from God. “It is my fault,” he told them sadly. “Pick me up and throw me into the sea, and it will grow calm again.” The kind sailors did not want to hurt Jonah. They rowed and rowed with all their might, trying to reach the shore — but they could not. So at last, after praying to God, they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea. And right away the wild sea grew quiet and calm.

Then God did a wonderful thing. He sent a great big fish swimming through the sea, and the fish opened wide and swallowed Jonah up. Inside the fish it was dark and quiet, like the middle of the night. Jonah waited there for three days and three nights. But he was safe, and he was not alone, because God was with him.

In the dark, Jonah folded his hands and prayed. “Thank You for hearing me, God. I will keep my promise to You.” God heard every single word. Then God told the great fish to bring Jonah back to the warm, dry land.

Now Jonah walked all the way to the big city of Nineveh, just as God had asked. He told the people God’s words, and the whole city stopped to listen. They were sorry, and they turned their hearts to God. And God, who loved every person in that great big city, showed us something sweet: God always gives us another chance, and God’s love never lets us go.

Thank You, God, for loving me even when I make mistakes, and for always giving me another chance to follow You. Help me listen to You with a happy heart.