READING FOR DECEMBER 3, 2025: JONAH 2, REVELATION 1, PSALM 119:129-136 JONAH 2 Do some of us have favorite places for prayer? The prayer in this chapter takes place in the stomach of a big fish. Even, and maybe especially here, it is an appropriate place to pray, and even here we can know that God hears and answers. Jonah was not in doubt that it was God who threw him into the sea (vs.3). Yet though Jonah understood this, he did not complain to God but rather looked to God for help. He understood and held in tension two truths which all of us can know: God is just in His actions and God alone can save us. Likely none of us have been in such a seemingly hopeless situation as Jonah was. If God rescued Jonah, we can trust Him to do likewise for us.
Verse 7 states that Jonah remembered God while he was fainting away. Let’s think back to when our cognitive, physical, emotional, and/or social resources were almost gone? Did God come to mind? Did He keep us from being overwhelmed? If so, let’s recall that time and thank God once again for His faithfulness. Let’s look at current and future challenges keeping in mind God’s past grace in our times of need, both individually and collectively as people of God. Jonah correctly lays out the two options all of us have in front of us each day: 1) seek God or 2) pursue worthless idols. An Idol today doesn't usually take the form of some golden image. It could be our tendency to make careers, earthly pleasures, or possessions our primary pursuits. Similarly, Jonah’s stated intention to sacrifice to God likely did not mean offering literal animal sacrifices—he was inside the stomach of a big fish after all. He seemed to be expressing what Paul stated in Rom. 12:1: ”I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, topresent your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” We can present ourselves to God in this way each day, knowing as Jonah said: “Salvation is from the Lord.”
REVELATION 1 Of all the books in the Bible, none captures our imagination and interest like the book of Revelation. It is full of vivid images of chaos on earth as well as fantastic images of the glory of heaven. There are many things in this book that are hard to understand and have been interpreted in various ways. Some say that all the events described here have already taken place. Others insist that it is a prophesy of things that are yet to come. For our study of Revelation, we will not focus on trying to figure out an end-times timeline or attempt to figure out who the antichrist might be. Rather, we will try to find something in each chapter that will enable us to draw closer to Jesus. This is quite appropriate, for the first three verses explain the true purpose of the book. First and foremost, this book comes from Jesus himself. The very first words make clear. “The revelation of Jesus Christ…” (1:1) goes on to state that Jesus made
this revelation known by sending it to his servant John who wrote it down. John affirms
READING FOR DECEMEBER 3, 2025 CONTINUED: REVELATION 1, PSALM 119:129-136 that these are the words of Jesus when he calls this book, “the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (1:2) Jesus is really the focus of the book from beginning to end. In fact, the last two verses also re- mind us that this book is the testimony of Jesus. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am com- ing soon.” Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.” (Rev. 22:20-21)
Secondly, Jesus gives this revelation to show us “what must soon take place.” (1:1) Jesus wants us to be prepared for what is to come…particularly his return to earth. In this revelation, Jesus often points to his second coming:
Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him… (1:7)
Only hold on to what you have until I come. (2:25)
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (3:11)
Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake… (16:15)
Behold, I am coming soon! (22:7)
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me… (22:12)
"Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (22:20)
Thirdly, Jesus gives this revelation to bless us. Verse 3 tells us that those who read this book, those who hear this book and those who take it to heart will be blessed. The last chapter adds that those who keep the words of this book will be blessed. (22:7) So, let’s approach this book with an expectation that in these chapters we will be blessed as we encounter Jesus.
PSALM 119:129-136 The Psalmist finds God’s word full of wonder (or wonderful). Why might we not read the Bible? Likely because we find other activities, such recreation or the media, fuller of wonder than the Bible. Why? Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart to perceive the timeless wonder of the Bible. The Psalmist claims the Bible provides understanding even to those considered less intellectual or educated. Often this writer has spoken to welfare recipients who have more spiritual insight than many seminary graduates because God’s word has enlightened them. Based on his great understanding of God’s word, the Psalmists knows he can ask God for His attention, guidance to live out the word, protection from sin, and rescue from the schemes of evil men so that he can be even more obedient. Even though he obviously reads and loves God words, he still asks that God teach him His word. The Holy Spirit works through the Bible to operate in our lives: “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Finally, the Psalmist laments because God’s word is not being obeyed. Does this fact cause us to cry? It should. And it should motivate us to prayer and action.
