One thing we can learn from Jonah’s story is that no matter how low we stray from God’s will, He will not leave nor forsake us. Even when Jonah was trapped in the belly of the great fish, God’s eyes were still firmly fixed on Jonah, and His ears were attentive to Jonah’s cries for help and mercy.
I’m so glad that the story didn’t end with Jonah trapped in the great fish’s belly forever. God brought Jonah out, and gave him the same instructions as before:
“Yahweh’s word came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.” So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to Yahweh’s word. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey across. Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried out, and said, “In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown!”” (Jonah 3:1-4 WEB)
Even if you ran away from God’s will in the past, God still wants to use you to fulfill His purposes.
He hasn’t given up on you — there is always a second chance for you. His heart is full of mercy, Grace and love towards you.
It is clear that Jonah was a believer, since he knew God’s gracious and merciful nature very well:
“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. He prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please, Yahweh, wasn’t this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm. Therefore now, Yahweh, take, I beg you, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” Yahweh said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”” (Jonah 4:1-4 WEB)
Jonah wanted God to destroy Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, because Assyria was one of Israel’s greatest enemy nations at the time.
Assyria had previously conquered Israel and taken Israel captive.
Jonah didn’t want to be responsibility for sparing Israel’s mortal enemy from God’s judgment.
Jonah didn’t agree with God’s decision to show mercy on Nineveh, and that’s why he tried to run away.
If we are true believers, we should desire whatever God desires, and fully submit to His will.
Through Jesus’ finished work at the cross, the price of salvation has been paid for all mankind, so we shouldn’t disqualify anyone from receiving God’s Grace and mercy.
If God says Yes, who are we to say No?
Jonah was acting like a spoilt brat, throwing a tantrum before God. Have you ever complained about God and acted stubbornly like a naughty child?
Isn’t it so comforting to know that God didn’t toss a lightning bolt to kill Jonah when he threw an anger fit before God?
God orchestrated events to guide Jonah out of his wrong believing.
“When the sun arose, God prepared a sultry east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he fainted, and requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” He said, “I am right to be angry, even to death.” Yahweh said, “You have been concerned for the vine, for which you have not labored, neither made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night. Shouldn’t I be concerned for Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred twenty thousand persons who can’t discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much livestock?”” (Jonah 4:8-11 WEB)
Jonah was so stubborn and unrepentant, insisting on continuing to be angry, but God didn’t rebuke him at all. He just revealed His heart of love, mercy and Grace to Jonah.
“Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 WEB)
In the midst of your disobedience, God will show you Great goodness that you don’t deserve.
This truth is timeless and always accurate: it is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance, and where sin increases, Grace abounds exceedingly much more!
“The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;” (Romans 5:20 WEB)
Are you still on the run from God’s will, shuddering in the freezing cold of disobedience, trapped in a murky prison of your own making?
Your Abba Father wants to show you that His plans are for your good, and that He’s not angry with you.
He wants the best for you, and He’s still full of Grace, mercy and love for you — Turn back to God because He still wants to use you to fulfill a great purpose!
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