"And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights." Jonah 1:17

The stomach of a fish would not be a good place to spend a lot of time but the story tells us Jonah spent three days and nights in the fish. He survives. He gets out of the fish and goes forward with life and with God. He goes and does what God wants him to do, and that is, His work, preaching His word in Nineveh. Jonah was in a bad place - he was in a huge fish. But his worst position was that he was wrong with God and was trying to hide from Him.

Six Utah Miners in Huntington, Utah are hoped to be in Survivable space. Over the last few days we've heard that maybe they are in a place where they can survive. How many people today are living in Survivable space? Jonah made it because God wasn't finished with him. Is God finished with the six men in Utah?

1. Some Space is Impossible.

There are some places you don't want to be. Sometimes you get trapped and there is no way out. Judas found Jesus in the garden, kissed him and Jesus knew he was a traitor. Then soldiers proceeded to beat Jesus until he eventually died on the cross and was beyond recognition as a man. Jesus prayed that he might avoid drinking from that cup because he knew the agony that was coming his way.

Survivable space? Look at the cross - Jesus took our place on the cross. Have you ever asked God to let you miss drinking from a certain cup? Some people live years in difficult marriages. Over the years, some offices and factories get smaller and smaller and eventually impossible. When Job was in the belly of the fish, it was impossible and he began praying to God. Things were bad and Job started praying. Your space right now may be impossible You may be trapped in a diseased body, struggling in a negative relationship or financially hurting. Job was in a bad place and he prayed. God heard his prayer.

2. Some Space is Manageable.

When Joseph was placed in prison he didn't deserve to be in prison but he made the best of it and soon flourished. Paul was placed under house arrest and continued to witness at every opportunity. Moses spent 40 years in the desert and I can't find anyplace in Exodus where he enjoyed it or loved it but what did he do? He managed. How much of your life do you manage? Parenting? Some jobs are tough and barely manageable. Some things in life are tough.

Paul said in Second Corinthians chapter twelve,"I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. Three times I asked God to remove my infirmity, my thorn in the flesh but he didn't, "my grace is sufficient for thee." So, Paul managed.

3. Some Space is Changeable.

Paula Dean, of cooking fame, said she recited the serenity prayer for years and then one day she believed it. Lord give me the patience to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change what I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Jonah changed his space when he got right with God. Moses and Israel got tired of Egypt and with God's help they left. When Israel became right with God they finally got out of the desert. The disciples were huddled in an upper room but realized they had the power to go public when Jesus walked in the room alive and well.

Some space is changeable. What is there about your life that you and God have the power to change? All things are possible to those who believe in God. You are not always trapped. Often in life you can make choices that bring about change. What is there about your life and situation you would like to change? Why don't you begin to make those changes - right now? The miners are trapped today. Currently it looks impossible. Our prayers plead on their behalf for mercy and safety.

Prayer: Oh God in the name of Jesus we pray that you are providing survivable space for six men and will bring about their deliverance from their miry pit.