123. Saturday after Quinquagesima Sunday.
Say to us, O Lord, when we are to walk through the darkness of affliction, that thou art with us. Amen.
Jonah 2, 1-9. Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.
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In the agony of his passion and death Jesus experienced that which Jonah here prays out of the deep. He was in terror, and he cried out of the womb of hell; he was cast into the deep, into the midst of the seas; the floods compassed him about, and all the waves of God’s wrath passed over him. He felt himself cast out of the sight of God and entirely forsaken of him; yet he continued to look toward his holy temple, and in faith he held fast the promise of deliverance. The waters compassed him about, even to the soul; the depth closed him round about, the weeds were wrapped about his head. He went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about him for ever. He was buried under a load of disgrace and contempt; the accursed thorns which were wrapped about his head held him fast; and all the power of hell barred his way; yea, the mighty bars of God’s wrath were drawn before the door, that he might never escape. But his faith saved him; he did not relax his hold on the word, and his prayer forced its way through iron doors and stone walls, and reached the ear of heaven. “Thou hast brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.”
You, dear Christian, must follow the same course, if you are to reach the gates of thanksgiving and salvation. Nevertheless, there is a great distinction. Jesus had no Savior; he was alone. “He looked, and there was none to help; and he wondered that there was none to uphold.” You, however, are not alone; he is with you. If it seem to you that you are alone in the deep, yet is he with you; cry to the Lord. Your weak voice reaches his ear; your poor prayer comes to him in his holy temple; and “he brought up your life from corruption;” you are saved.
Truly, thou knowest best, Lord Jesus, what my soul suffers. I have sinned against the Lord; therefore I will bear his wrath until he shall again lead me out into the light. Meek and patient Savior, give to me thy gentle spirit. God, hear my cry in thy holy temple. Alas, many toils are spread for my feet; many obstacles bar the way before me; I see no escape. Lord, is this the way which thou wilt lead me, through still greater agony and terror? After all, thou art my Savior; thou canst not release thy hold on me, nor can I release mine on thee. Amen.
Yet, gracious God, where shall I flee?
Thou art my only trust,
And still my soul would cleave to thee,
Though prostrate in the dust.
Thy mercy-seat is open still;
Here let my soul retreat,
With humble hope attend thy will,
And wait beneath thy feet.