If salvation is something we do for ourselves with moral effort, good works, family values, and the Ten Commandments, then why did Jesus have to die on the cross? God sent the fish because Jonah couldn’t save himself. And that’s why God sent Jesus.

God saves desperate sinners
“To the roots of the mountains I went down” (2:6). What happened when Jonah believed? His problems got worse. Jonah hit rock bottom. He is absolutely hopeless, and then God sends the fish. “Yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God” (2:6).

God saves repentant sinners
“Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you” (2:8-9). Salvation from sin involves faith and repentance. Repentance is turning away from whatever had God’s place in your life before, while faith is turning to the Lord: “But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you” (2:9).

Think about this: Praise and thanksgiving flowed out of Jonah while he was still in the fish! (2:1). Why? Jonah worships in the belly of the fish because he knows that God is saving him. And that’s all he needs to know.

God saves guilty, believing, desperate, repentant sinners, and He is ready and able to save you!

Are you still trying to save yourself, or are you filled with worship today because you know that God is saving you?