God may yet relent

God may yet relent

Scripture:

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah 3:1-2

But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. Jonah 3:8-10

Observation:- In Jonah 3, we see the call of God coming to Jonah a second time and this time he obeys. Amazingly, the people of Nineveh, and even the king believe Jonah, and repented before God. Scholars speculate that in the belly of the large fish or whale, the acidic juices would have made Jonah’s skin and hair a ghastly white as he walked through the city. Terrified at his appearance, the Ninevites could have been convinced God’s judgment was coming to them.

There are three main things we can learn from this chapter. Firstly, God is a God of second chances. Although Jonah failed the first time, God did not give up on him, but drew him back and restored him to his commission. Some of us may have served God for a time but then due to various reasons walked away from our calling. The Lord calls us to return to His service. Just like He restored Jonah and restored Peter, He can restore us too if we only we come back to Him.

Secondly, the actions of a leader has great impact over those under him. The actions of the king of Nineveh in calling for city-wide repentance and calling urgently on God averted judgment on the great city. Similarly, for those us in authority, over our family, over a church or cell group, over a company on business, over a district or state or nation, we have a special responsibility before God that has great impact on those under us.

Thirdly, God forgives when people repent and turn back to Him. Even when a king as evil as Manasseh repented, God relented from judgment upon him. Likewise, even though the Ninevites were so cruel and violent in their ways, God responded to their repentance. The Scripture is true that God does not want anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Application: If we have walked away from a particular calling of God, turn back, come back to God that He may restore us. Recognize the authority of leadership and the impact we have on those below us. Ask God for wisdom to use this ability well to be a blessing to others. Thank God that the Lord’s compassion is great and He does not want anyone to perish.  If we have fallen away, turn back and return to Him. He is the way, the truth and the life.

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the times I forsook my calling. Bring me back that I may serve You again in full passion and by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord for those in authority over me, and those I have authority over. Give me wisdom and peace to lead them well and grant my superiors with wisdom and righteousness too. Praise You O Lord, for You do not want anyone to perish but to come to repentance. Help me return to You O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.