Jonah 2:2-9
“In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the depths,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
I said, ‘I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.’
The engulfing waters threatened me, a
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, Lord my God,
brought my life up from the pit.
“When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
“Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away from God’s love for them.
But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ”

Today’s Interpretation:

In my distress, Lord, I text you my plea,
Caught up in endless emails, it’s hard to be free.
From the chaos of meetings, I seek a quiet space,
Amid deadlines approaching, I find Your true grace.

You tossed me in the job pool, in the workday grind,
Water cooler gossip, drowning my mind.
On lunch break I glance at Your word, where Your blessings abound,
Trusting in Your wisdom, relief I have found.

Drowning in tasks, like a conference call loop,
Surrounded by deadlines, I feel lost in the meeting group.
Punching the clock, where my thoughts feel trapped,
But in You, Lord my God, is the peace I’ve unwrapped.

As the day drags on, and my focus grows thin,
I say a quick prayer, seeking strength from within.
Clocking out for the night, I find sweet release,
Grounded in Your presence, I discover my peace.

Those chasing promotions at the cost of their soul,
Lose sight of true meaning, forgetting Your goal.
But I lift my voice softly, through the elevator noise,
Honoring Your blessings, as I embrace my joys.

Salvation, dear Lord, is the path to my peace,
In Your mercy and kindness, my worries release.
With grateful praises, I step into the light,
Thankful and revived, my spirit takes flight.

Copyright © 2024 by Skyler Thomas