Calvary Lutheran Eaton Rapids WELS · Pastor Mark Eckert

What Could Have Been... - Jonah 2:8-9

April 8, 2026·13 min·1 clip

What if God gave us what we deserve instead of his grace?

This episode is a sermon from Calvary Lutheran Eaton Rapids WELS, focusing on the biblical story of Jonah. The speaker, a pastor, reflects on the concept of regret through a religious lens. He uses the Old Testament passage Jonah 2:8-9 as his central text. The pastor begins by sharing two personal anecdotes about hitting deer while taking a shortcut to Jackson, framing them as minor life regrets. He transitions to the biblical account of Jonah, who was swallowed by a great fish after disobeying God. Jonah's major regret, the pastor explains, was not listening to God and going to Nineveh immediately. The sermon cites specific idols like Baal, Ashtoreth, and Marduk as examples of the "worthless idols" Jonah mentions. It references God's grace toward Adam and Eve after their sin in the Garden of Eden. King David's words from Psalm 103 are quoted: "The Lord does not treat us as our sins deserve." A key insight is that God used Jonah's ordeal in the fish as a blessing for both Jonah and the people of Nineveh. The pastor emphasizes that true grace and salvation come only from the Lord, not from man-made idols. He contrasts the scary thought of receiving what we deserve with the reality of God's compassion. The sermon connects Jonah's vow to sacrifice with thanksgiving to modern promises believers might make during crises. It suggests that logical response to God's grace is to live for His glory in all actions. The tone is pastoral, instructional, and comforting, delivered in a traditional sermon style. It is deeply rooted in Christian theology and scriptural exegesis. Listeners interested in biblical teaching, Christian perspectives on regret, and expository sermons would appreciate this episode. Those seeking secular analysis, debate, or non-religious content would likely skip it.

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