Daily Devotional

“I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). 

History professor Allan Lichtman has successfully predicted every presidential race since 1984. Better yet, the thirteen true/false statements that he uses to make his predictions have been applied to elections prior to 1984 and have been correct for elections going back 120 years! 

The true/false statements, which Lichtman calls keys, have to do with the popularity of the party that holds the office during the elections. If the party that is in office is perceived as having been successful, the chances are that a challenging party will not win. However, if the party is largely perceived as having been unsuccessful, then the challenger will likely win. 

Jonah made a bold prediction while he was inside the belly of the fish—a wish that came true. The sailors, who had reluctantly thrown him overboard to calm the storm, prayed that God would not charge them “with innocent blood” (Jonah 1:14). They fully expected him to die. Jonah probably thought the same thing when the giant fish swallowed him. But the fleeing prophet clung to the hope that God would help him. 

During his prayer from the belly of the fish, he began to speak of how he would thank God after being saved. From a human standpoint such a prediction was completely ludicrous. But Jonah understood God’s power to carry out His plans for the sinking man. 

Jonah didn’t believe in the worthless idols to which the sailors prayed. He knew God was in control of the elements (Jonah 2:8). Furthermore, though everything pointed to his sure death, he even believed that God could bring him back from the grave (verse 2). 

Just as Jonah’s cry for help reached all the way from the bottom of the sea to God’s “holy temple” in heaven (verse 7), the Lord will hear your prayers, wherever you are. 

Lord, please teach me to trust in Your saving power. Help me to turn to You under any circumstance.