The Big Fish

It happened on a stormy day
When the sky was dark and gray
That I was feeding in the sea
When suddenly in front of me
I saw a man struggling to swim
So I closed in and swallowed him.

For three days and three nights I swam
Carrying the praying man
Towards a town called Niniveh;
Then, without the least delay
I spit him out onto the land
And left him kneeling on the sand.

I understand this man was sent
To tell the townsfolk to repent;
Instead he chose to disobey
And when he tried to run away
God had him thrown into the sea
Where he was swallowed up by me.

The reason that he ran away
And did not listen or obey
Is that he knew God would relent
If all the people should repent,
For God is full of love and mercy
Even though men are unworthy.

Jonah learned truth without love
Is not worth much to God above
For love and truth go hand in hand:
Alone neither of them can stand -
But combine them and you'll see
The demons flee and men set free.