1. FIRST LOCKDOWN - SELF-IMPOSED = IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIP

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Jonah 1:5 NIV

Here in the bottom of the ship he did not pray because he was in a rebellious state of mind and heading in the wrong direction. Instead he was fast asleep going to a wrong destination.

2. SECOND LOCKDOWN - DIVINELY IMPOSED = IN THE BELLY OF THE FISH

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 NIV

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: “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.

Jonah 2:1‭-‬2 NIV

NB. Jonah did not fight nor hurt the fish from the inside because he focused on God. May we stop all the arguments and hurtful comments and turn to God who is able to usher us into the right place of our calling our mission,  and service,

3. THIRD LOCKDOWN WAS A TOTAL NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN

When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 

This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 

But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God.

 Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

Jonah 3:6‭-‬9 NIV

 They repented and sought divine intervention and forgiveness. Let us do self examination during this time. Self check.

4. THE WHOLE CITY WAS SAVED

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah 3:10 NIV

This was "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"

SUMMARY

a. When we run away from God we cause turbulence, ( roughness of life) troubles  and storms.

b. When we run away from our calling,( like Jonah) purpose and plan of God, we end up in chilly cold waters and depths of trouble and affliction.

c. When we cooperate with God in prayer  even in the belly ( Valley of our sorrows)he ushers us into the other side of peace, and re-assigns us to do the very same task given before, and the result will be overwhelming.

d. Don't fight the fish from inside just keep praying, God will redirect the fish to the right place for you.

Finally God will use you he will give you a Word for the time and place, the people and the city  and  you will experience the miracle of a greater harvest.

In your Lockdown spend quality time with God so that when it's over you will be at the right place doing the right thing within the given available time. 

AMCReflections