Day 20
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Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.
It’s Day 20 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.
DEVOTION
Life is hard, and sometimes you find yourself at rock bottom. This is where Jonah was in our verse today. Jonah was in the depths of despair, and found himself swallowed by a great fish, a situation that could easily lead to hopelessness. Yet, even in this dark moment, Jonah turns to God with a heart full of gratitude. His response teaches us an essential truth: gratitude can flourish in the most unexpected circumstances. The Message Bible puts it this way: “But I’m worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving! And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to God!”
Thanksgiving is often associated with abundance and joy, but it is good to remember that gratitude is not solely a response to positive experiences. Jonah’s declaration of praise in the belly of the fish demonstrates that true thanksgiving arises from recognizing God’s sovereignty, even when life feels overwhelming.
It could have been easy for Jonah to whine and complain, but instead he gave thanks!
Think about your own circumstance. When you are in a place of great need and find yourself swallowed up by your circumstances, is there an attitude of gratitude? When you’re here, think about the ways that God has worked in your life. Perhaps there were moments when you felt lost or alone, yet God's presence was with you, guiding and sustaining you.
It’s in those times we can be like Jonah, and offer thanks not only for our blessings but also for the trials that deepen our faith and reliance on Him.
Prayer:
God, thank You for being a constant presence in my life, even when I face difficulties. Help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude, just as Jonah did, recognizing that salvation and hope come from You alone. As I gather around table this Thanksgiving, let my praise be filled with joy and thanksgiving for both the blessings and the lessons learned through the trials of life. Amen.
Contemplation:
Take a moment to write down three things you are grateful for, particularly those that may have come from difficult situations. How can you express this gratitude to God and others this Thanksgiving?
VERSE
Jonah 2:9 (ESV: English Standard Version)
Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.
AUTHOR
Chris Scotland
Chris Scotland adds to The Morning Show with Denise and Chris, and he is the Assistant Program Director at The Bridge.
Hi! You should probably know this about me, first. I'm always 30 seconds away from crying. Just a heads up. You should also know that I love Jesus, my wife, coffee, my kids, coffee, and Star Wars. I also love coffee. If you had asked me 20 years ago what I would be doing as a career, I would have told you that I would be in the music industry. However, I would have been the one on the radio singing the songs, not the one playing them. But....God had a bigger and better story.
