MAY 12

A Desperate Plea for Help

Bible Reading: Jonah 1-2

I had a “Jonah-like” experience once.  I was hundreds of feet underwater, in a very smelly place, praying about a need I had.  The difference was that I was praying from the belly of a submarine, not a whale, and the smelly place was the berthing area, not the inners of a fish, and my prayer need was not nearly as desperate as Jonah’s.  But then again, it was while serving on board the submarine that I came to the realization that Jesus could work to save someone like me—so maybe it wasn’t so different after all.

The trouble was of Jonah’s own making.  God commanded Jonah to go and preach to Nineveh, a fearsome empire that would in a future day conquer the northern Kingdom of Israel.  But instead of obeying, Jonah went the opposite way, and headed south to Joppa.  Obviously, he wasn’t happy with his God-given task, so he attempted to flee his omnipresent God (Psalm 139:7-12).

“The Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea” (Jonah 1:4).  The mariners on board were afraid and each cried out to his god.  They cast lots to determine whose fault it was that such evil had come upon them and, of course, the lot fell on Jonah.  Under interrogation Jonah admitted that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord.  After trying their best to row the boat to dry land, it was decided that there was no other choice but to toss Jonah into the sea, at which point the sea ceased from its raging.

Just as the Lord caused the wind, and stopped the sea from raging, He appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah.  “And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and nights” (Jonah 1:17).  And for those who assume that the story about Jonah is nothing but a big fish story, it should be noted that Jesus Himself referred to Jonah’s experience as a factual event (Matthew 12:40).

It should be noted at this point that the fish was for Jonah both a source of trouble and a temporary means of salvation.  For it’d have been even more hopeless (at least from a human standpoint) if Jonah had been thrown into the sea without any vessel to carry him.  But in his whale of a predicament, God had gotten Jonah’s attention.  That fleeing from the presence of God wasn’t such a great idea after all!  It never is.

Jonah didn’t have a lot of options at this point.  Even if he’d have had a cell phone, there’d have been no service.  And no Coast Guard to rely upon.  He knew enough to realize that there was no hope to be had in idols (Jonah 2:8).  So, Jonah prayed.  From the belly of a whale, he prayed.  Perhaps you’ve prayed in desperation before.  In recent months I’ve witnessed more than a few death bed prayers.  God hears such prayers.

Two main themes are interwoven throughout Jonah’s prayer, Jonah’s distress and God’s deliverance.  Eleven different Old Testament scriptures are alluded to in Jonah’s prayer.  Jonah’s situation was beyond hopeless, yet God heard Jonah’s prayer and answered him (Jonah 2:1).  It was when Jonah said, “Salvation belongs to the Lord” that “the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:9-10).  God answered Jonah’s prayer.  After that disastrous detour, the Lord again commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh.  Guess what?  The second time he listened.  I suppose the main lesson we can take from Jonah’s example is that there is no pit so deep or belly so smelly in which you can’t cry out to God in prayer!

The One who Rules the Winds (and the Whales) is Well Able to Deliver No Matter How Desperate the Situation

LOVE LIFTED ME

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

[Refrain]

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs. [Refrain]

Souls in danger look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today. [Refrain]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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