Jonah 1:1-11 Selected (NIV) Jonah Flees From the Lord
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. …… to flee from the Lord.
4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up……15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm….. 17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights……. Jonah 3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” 3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh……… 10 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 4 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong [the death of the plant and the forgiving of Nineveh], and he became angry….. 10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow……. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…………?”
Jonah did not listen to the Lord but decided to go his own way. Jonah did not want to preach to the Ninevites because he did not want to offer them God’s forgiveness. After all, anytime God sends His Prophet to a people, it is for them to repent and be forgiven. Jonah did not feel the Ninevites deserved forgiveness. Nevertheless, God will be obeyed. He saved Jonah with a huge fish who would deliver him on to the shore where he would be asked again to go to Nineveh. Our God is a God of second and many chances.
So you blew it! You made a big mistake and now you look really bad. You are embarrassed to face God. After all, you don’t deserve another chance, do you? Do you think God has enough compassion to redeem you? When Peter asked Jesus how many times a person should forgive another, Jesus said “seventy times seven.” That is 490 times and I think that means for the same issue. In other words, keep forgiving them. If the standard is for man to forgive 490 times, how many times will God forgive you? With God, there is always forgiveness. But even better, there is redemption. It is like it never happened. Jonah disobeyed God, was redeemed and then became angry with God for forgiving the Ninevites. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine being angry with God for forgiving someone else? I guess Jonah did not think they deserved forgiveness. What about you? Do you deserve forgiveness? The truth is none of us deserve forgiveness. It is God’s gift that He freely gives to those with a contrite heart. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
God has compassion for all of His creation. Sin caused a curse on mankind and all of creation with them. But the good news is that redemption is available for all of creation as well. God is willing to forgive us today. All we need do is confess, repent and ask. The confession and repentance part is the tough part. But go ahead and give it a try. But by the blood of Christ (the Cross), you are holy, righteous and redeemed. Turn away from your mistakes and toward the destiny and blessing God has stored up for you. You may have blown it but God can repair the damage and turn your scars into stars. The Cross already won the war! Turn to Him and let Him help. In Jesus name we pray!
Greater by Mercyme
There’ll be days I lose the battle Grace says that it doesn’t matter Cause the cross already won the war
I am learning to run freely Understanding just how he sees me And it makes me love him more and more