Chuck Smith emphasizes the transformative power of prayer in times of despair, as illustrated in Jonah 2:7. He discusses how Jonah, despite initially fleeing from God, ultimately remembered the Lord and turned to Him in prayer when all other options failed. Smith highlights that God allows us to reach our lowest points to refine us and reflect His image, and that even desperate prayers are a sign of His grace. The sermon underscores the futility of running from God and the importance of renewing our commitment to Him, recognizing that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our own efforts.

I. WHEN MY SOUL FAINTED WITHIN ME. A. I remembered the Lord. 1. Up to this time he purposely: a. Drove Him from mind. b. Hiked 40 miles. c. Slept in storm. d. Disregarded sailors' prayers. B. My prayer came unto Thee. 1. Many people wait until no other avenues of escape to pray. a. God in love lets them get there. b. He does not deliver beforehand. 1. Refining Silver. 2. Deliverance any sooner would be too soon. He will keep you under discipline until He sees His image reflected in your life. 2. Prayer as a last resort is better than no prayer at all. a. Manifestation of God's grace is His patience. C. He received true prospective. 1. "They that observe lying vanities." a. Deceitful. b. Sin is a lying vanity. 1. He thought to escape God. 2. He thought to better his lot. 3. He thought to live independently of God. 2. Forsake their own mercy. a. To run from God is to run from your own good. b. To forsake God is to forsake your own well-being. D. He renewed his vows. 1. Offered sacrifice of praise. a. Even before deliverance. 2. I will pay that which I have vowed. E. He received the revelation. 1. Salvation is of the Lord. a. Not of works. b. Not of our own doing. 2. A gift of God. a. God is aggressor. b. We have not sought Him, but He, us. 1. Planned the way. (predeterminate counsel. 2. Provided the way. sent His Son. 3. Reveals the way... by the Spirit and the Word.