~ God's Eraser ~

[Lani]

Jonah 2:1-10
1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
10 And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.


Jonah prayed, “I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me.” Jonah 2:2 (NRSV)




A friend's granddaughter asked her to draw a picture of a horse with the granddaughter sitting on the horse. My friend, though an artist, said that she had never drawn a horse. Her granddaughter replied, “All you need is a piece of paper, a pencil, and a good eraser.”

I believe that God has a good eraser. When I repent, God is continuously erasing what I do wrong. God knows my thoughts, my struggles, and my hesitance to do good. I am imperfect, I know; but I keep striving to live as God wants me to. When I fail, God rescues me with an eraser ready and shows me the right path. I feel God's powerful love and grace.

Jonah cried out to God, and God gave him a second chance to do what he should have done in the first place. If we go in the wrong direction, we can ask God for another chance, as Jonah did. It is up to us to ask God to erase our sins and restore our life.


Prayer: Forgiving God, grant us your grace and understanding when we err, and guide us back to you. We pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”* Amen. (*Luke 11:2-4)

Prayer Focus of Day: Someone who needs a second chance

Thought for the Day: God's eraser has my name on it.

Story shared by: A. McIntosh (NC)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/26/11