Can you imagine being in torrential rain and then looking out from your house at your street and seeing water levels rising? Can you comprehend what it would be like to see the water levels coming into your house in the middle of the night! Oh dear. No electricity or the ability to drive and not knowing where to go. This happened to residents in Lismore in New South Wales on Sunday night and many places in Queensland. Many of these residents were forced to get on their roof for safety. Imagine how thankful they would have been to be rescued.
You may have been in a crisis situation yourself and you know firsthand the feeling of being rescued. It is after such a critical situation that we are just so thankful. Pray for those who are still feeling trapped in a country that is at war or who are trapped due to health issues. Be thankful for the answers to prayer that we experience. Note Jonah’s story.
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.” Jonah 2:1-3, ESV.
Jonah was running away from God’s leading and he got into all sorts of trouble but he was miraculously saved. He prayed to God with thankfulness.
“When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer
came to you, into your holy temple.” Jonah 3:7.
No matter what your situation, be in prayer and have an attitude of thankfulness. Take note of the words of Paul.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.