Jonah Week 3: Daniel Hicks

Title: Waiting on God
Text: Jonah 1:17 – 2:10
Big Idea: While you’re waiting, God is working—especially on your heart.

I. Jonah’s Descent & Desperation

Jonah ends up in the belly of a great fish—not by accident, but by divine appointment.

He’s completely out of control, trapped in a place of darkness and regret.

“Sometimes what we call punishment, God calls provision.”

God’s mercy shows up in unlikely packages—like a fish that saves Jonah from drowning.

II. God's Provision vs. Our Preference

Big Idea 1: God gives us what we need, not what we want.

The fish wasn’t punishment—it was provision to preserve Jonah for his purpose.

Psalm 115:3 reminds us: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.”

Sometimes, what pleases Him is to give us a second chance.

III. Prayer in Distress

Big Idea 2: Prayer is our response to distress.

Jonah doesn’t pray until he’s desperate. But when he does, God hears him.

James 5:13 – “Is anyone in trouble? Let them pray.”

When we feel trapped, powerless, or broken, prayer is not our last resort—it’s our lifeline.

IV. Praying God’s Word

Big Idea 3: When you don’t know what to pray, pray His Word.

Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2 is full of direct parallels to the Psalms.

He was trained in God’s Word—and in his darkest moment, that’s what surfaced.

The Holy Spirit cannot remind us of what we haven’t hidden in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).

Jesus modeled this in His wilderness temptation (Luke 4).

V. From Distress to Breakthrough

Jonah’s circumstances didn’t change immediately—but his heart did.

He moves from despair to gratitude and praise, even before being delivered.

Jonah 2:10 – “And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”

VI. While You’re Waiting, God is Working

Big Idea 4: Waiting is not passive—it’s active.

God often uses seasons of delay to refine our hearts.

You may not have the character yet for what you’re asking for.

The waiting is not wasted—God is shaping you for what’s next.