12. Jonah: Swallowed by Mercy 6:10
"Salvation belongs to the Lord."
He fled, he fell, and he was restored — a story of God's mercy to nations and rebels alike.
From the belly of the fish to the city of Nineveh, the depths of the sea could not hide him from the light of grace.
Ref: Jonah 1:1–17, Jonah 2:1–10, Jonah 4:2
By Thomas J. Allen, © 2025
INTRO
"The word of the Lord came to Jonah...
But Jonah rose up to flee...
Down... down...
into the depths."
VERSE 1
I ran from mercy clothed in light,
Boarded shadows to escape His sight.
A storm arose, the sea turned black,
I slept while judgment circled back.
They cast the lot, they cried in fear,
I said, "Throw me — He'll draw near."
The waves consumed my breath and name,
And dragged me down in holy flame.
VERSE 2
In the belly of the deep,
I prayed beneath the weight.
Seaweed wrapped around my soul,
Still I cried — and still He waits.
From the roots of mountains drowned,
I looked to where His temple shined.
I was cast out from His gaze,
Yet grace still found me... in decline.
BRIDGE
"When my soul fainted within me,
I remembered the Lord...
And my prayer came in unto Him...
Into His holy temple."
VERSE 3
He spoke again — I walked ashore.
Three days dead, but breath restored.
I preached the doom I once denied,
And watched the guilty turn and cry.
I should've praised, I should've bowed,
But bitterness still spoke aloud.
He said, "Should I not spare their breath...
Who do not know their left from death?"
OUTRO
"Salvation... belongs... to the Lord."
Scripture References
Jonah 1:17 & 2:2:
"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. ... 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."
Jonah 2:7 & 2:9:
"When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. ... But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."
Jonah 4:2:
"And he prayed unto the LORD, and said... I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth thee of the evil."