DCLM Higher Everyday 20 July 2025 — Jonah’s Topsy – Turvy Journey
DCLM Higher Everyday 20 July 2025 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Jonah’s Topsy – Turvy Journey
Topic: Jonah’s Topsy – Turvy Journey
Text: Jonah 1: 1-12
1Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
4But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
6So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
7And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
8Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
9And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
11Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
12And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
Key Verse: “Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep” (Jonah 1:5).
Message
The Choluteca Bridge is a suspension bridge located in the city of Choluteca, Honduras. It is 300 meters long and was considered one of the greatest architectural works in the country. After the hurricane in 1998, the Choluteca River carved a new channel, no longer flowing beneath the bridge. The bridge stood on dry ground, earning the nickname “The Bridge to Nowhere”.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 19 July 2025 – Moses Foretells The Messiah
A topsy-turvy journey refers to a journey that is filled with unexpected and chaotic twists and turns. It is a situation in which things are turned upside down. So was the journey of Jonah to Tarshish. Like the Choluteca bridge, his destination was Tarshish but the journey was terminated on the sea and ended in the belly of the fish.
Describing his desperate condition inside the fish as “belly of hell” Jonah learnt obedience inside the fish by force. He prayed unto God for mercy he had wanted to deny the entire city of Nineveh. God had mercy on him. Perfect obedience to God brings blessings while disobedience incurs God’s displeasure. Obey God implicitly to escape avoidable calamity like Jonah.
Quote: God had mercy on him
Challenge: Don’t be at loggerhead with the Almighty.
Prayer for today: Father, help me never to pursue a wrong venture
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
