Second Chances

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you."” Jonah 3:1-2 ESV

We serve a God of the second chance. If at first we fail to obey the Lord, He often gives us another chance to carry out His instruction. The Lord gave Jonah a second chance; not because he deserved it, but because God’s compassion for the Ninevites exceeded Jonah’s initial disobedience and refusal to preach to them. Jonah while under discipline surrendered to the Lord’s will and complied with obeying His command. The conflict he endured of being swallowed by a great fish taught him the important lesson that it pays to obey the first time.

The people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. The entire city responded to his call to repentance from the greatest to the least. They were ready to hear this man of God who traveled by fish to arrive on their shore. “Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them... 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” Jonah 3:4-5, 10 ESV. God extends mercy and grace before He sends judgment. If people continue to reject His mercy, eventually they will face His judgment.

TODAY’S PRAYER 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the story of Jonah which reveals you as a merciful God who not only gave Jonah a second chance, but also the people of Nineveh. Give us a revelation that you are a gracious and merciful God.  

God Bless,

Pastor Matt