By Pastor Rachael Saibu,
Co-Founder/ Senior Pastor at TCOLG
Calling on God is so easy when we can actually make time to talk to Him, and tell Him everything that is bothering us. The world is so busy with so many things occupying our mind and time. These things can crush one’s spirit and deter us from calling on God if we allow it. Some people say they don’t want to bother God with their problems, but who else should we bother? Some think God has nothing to do with what they are going through but God can help you through it. Some will say, I know I am wrong and I am too ashamed to go before the Lord but God did not tell you not to come to Him and there is repentance for sinners. Some say they deserve what they are going through because they brought it upon themselves but now you have learned your lesson, God is waiting to help you.
A lot of people suffer in silence for things they did not do and only God can vindicate them. Whatever the situation may be, we all need God’s help. The thing there is, God never tell us not to call on Him or talk to Him concerning any situation or circumstances we are going through. God says, “Call on me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me." (Psalm 50:15 CSB). God is always joyful when we call on Him to help us. Even if you are like Jonah who deliberately disobeyed God, you can still go back to Him in repentance and for restoration. The Bible says, “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly. [2] And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice” (Jonah 2:1-2 NKJV).
Jonah was in a deep distress in the belly of the fish that he felt that he was in the land of the dead at that time. He knew he was in a trouble that except God help him out, he would possible die. You may be in a situation right now that looks like you are in the belly of the fish and you are trying to find your way out, God will make a way out of it for you as He did for Jonah. He is the way maker. He path the Red Sea for the children of Israel. God will path that Red Sea that is before you in Jesus name. if God can get Jonah out of the belly of the fish, God will get you out of that problem you are in right now. Don’t be too overwhelmed not to call on God. Jonah called on God because of his affliction and He answered him. Whatever your affliction may be, God is able to deliver you and set you free. God will surely help you.
Jonah offered a prayer for deliverance from the belly of the fish and from the raging sea. Whatever is raging against you like storm, God will silence them. God will calm the storm of your life and give you complete victory. When we really think of it, Jonah must have been so fearful and overwhelmed with this new experience of being in the belly of the fish. He has never heard of anyone being there before. He must be thinking how did I get to the belly of the fish and everything was sealed up on him. He must have tried so many ways and see that there was no way to escape. That alone made him more fearful than ever before. He looked at that situation, it was unusual, strange and scary. Jonah was so smart, he knew how to press the divine button of the one that can help him and he quickly did by callIng on God for help. You may be going through unusual and unexplainable circumstances, you are not the first, Jonah was there before. God that help Jonah will help you. God will surely help you.
It doesn’t matter what your circumstances may be or where you are right now, start praying concerning that situation now. God that heard Jonah even from the belly of the fish will hear you anywhere you are. If you cannot open your mouth, pray to God from your heart, He will hear you and answer you. God just want us to call on Him. The book of Lamentation says, “the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to perish. [55] I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. [56] You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” [57] You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” [58] You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life” (Lamentations 3:54-58 NIV). The word of God above says that the water again was over him just like Jonah and he felt he was going to perish. He called on God from the pit, God came near him at that pit and comforted him not to fear. He took up his case and redeemed his life from destruction. What ever pit you are in, God will bring you out. God is right now by your side telling you not to fear. He will take over your case against forces that are behind your problems, defeat them and set you free. You are coming out of it with a great testimony in Jesus name. God will surely help you.
You and I can pray anywhere, any place, at any time from our heart and God will always hear us. If you have not given your life to Jesus, do it urgently. This is your time and your day of salvation. God has been waiting for you. Just read as is written here and say, “Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner that needs a Savior. I repent of all my sin and I want you to forgive me. I know you are the son of God, who came to this world through virgin birth in flesh, you died on the cross for my sin, buried and resurrected on the third day, now sitting at the right side of God. I surrender my life to you, come into my life and be my Savior and my Lord. If you pray this prayer you are born again. Now you can begin to pray and ask God anything you want Him to do for you. Jesus is your access to God. Remember, Jonah surrendered all to God in the belly of the fish. This is your opportunity time to surrender all to God and let Him help you. With God as long as you are still alive, is never too late to call on Him. If God could hear and restore Jonah, your situation is not hopeless or too hard for God to handle. God is the helper of those who call upon Him. God will surely help you.
Prayer:
Read Psalm 121:1-8 NKJV) and use it to pray:
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills- From whence comes my help? [2] My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. [3] He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. [4] Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. [5] The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. [6] The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. [7] The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. [8] The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore” (amen).
Pastor Rachael Saibu, Co-Founder/ Senior Pastor at TCOLG