Soul Snack 119 ... "SOUL SURGERY"

"But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God."  Jonah 1:17-2:1

Restless, relentless the ancient Mediterranean had claimed yet another seafarer. Deep into its volatile bowels Jonah fearfully descended.>An unwelcome excursion, literally into deeper distress, finally brings Jonah to stillness. No more running, no more disobedience.

With recalcitrance removed, God now has Jonah's undivided attention. God will now reach afresh into Jonah's life. A rebellious spirit becomes a repentant spirit.

'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.' Is 57:15

Repentance means Jonah is now available to receive from God. God seeks those of broken spirit, because then He can re-assemble (revive) them correctly.

God will always respond to the destitute, who would call out to Him (Ps 102:17). God will not leave us in disobedience and distress, any more than He would leave Jonah unattended.

In stillness God conducts 'soul surgery' on Jonah. Jonah now becomes an obedient 'patient'.

Only in stillness do we permit God to do His healthy work in our spirit by removing our own (and others) unhealthy work. 'Stillness' is the healthiest soul surgery time.

Read another Soul Snack:

Sensing the SabbathThe Mistaken Pilgrimage