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| Photo Credit: She Reads Truth |
"Mercy is not a matter of merit; it is God's gift."
Rebecca Faires
(Read Jonah 3)
God was determined to have His message delivered to Nineveh, and He was determined to have it delivered by Jonah. God could have permitted Jonah to drown in the sea. He could have allowed Jonah to be digested by the fish. But, instead, God chose to give Jonah mercy - to give Jonah a second chance. He spoke to Jonah again, recommissioning him to bring God's message of destruction to the evil city of Nineveh. And this time Jonah went - he complied with God's will, but that does not mean his compliance was from his heart.
Why Jonah?
Why give him a second chance?
Why warn the city of the destruction their evil ways had led them to?
Why show mercy to this wayward prophet, who even when he obeys, was still hardhearted?
Why relent from the disaster that city certainly deserved?
Why give him a second chance?
Why warn the city of the destruction their evil ways had led them to?
Why show mercy to this wayward prophet, who even when he obeys, was still hardhearted?
Why relent from the disaster that city certainly deserved?
Because God's ways are not our ways - we cannot fully understand why He does what He does and we are not meant to. God is merciful (Jonah 4:2). He had mercy on His disobedient prophet. He showed mercy to the Ninevites who repented and cried out to the Lord. And He shows mercy to you and me every single day - Every. Single. Day.
This story is a little bit about a proud and judgemental prophet; a little bit about an evil city who heeded the warnings of the prophet; and a lot about the God who showed mercy and forgiveness to both.
I know I probably spend most of my days tottering between a Jonah mindset - grateful for God's mercy for me, but horrified that He would give it so freely to the worst of the worst - and the Ninevites who, once made aware of their sinful ways, and God's impending destruction, turned completely from the sins that tore them away from God, and wondered if He might have mercy on them (Jonah 3:9).
This story is a little bit about a proud and judgemental prophet; a little bit about an evil city who heeded the warnings of the prophet; and a lot about the God who showed mercy and forgiveness to both.
I know I probably spend most of my days tottering between a Jonah mindset - grateful for God's mercy for me, but horrified that He would give it so freely to the worst of the worst - and the Ninevites who, once made aware of their sinful ways, and God's impending destruction, turned completely from the sins that tore them away from God, and wondered if He might have mercy on them (Jonah 3:9).
Jonah knew God well enough to understood that if the people recognized their sin and wrong doing, God would relent from the disaster and destruction. Jonah tried to prevent God from showing His mercy by running from God and away from his call. What would have happened if Jonah had run and never turned back to the Lord? I think one of two things: 1)God would have raised up another prophet who would carry His message to Nineveh, or 2)God would have destroyed Nineveh and none of the people would have known why, or given glory to God.
When we run from God and His call, we are not the only ones who suffer. His purpose for our lives is not just for our benefit. He has created this intertwining tapestry, and will pull us into the lives of others for different reasons. Sometimes we don't even know God is using us in certain ways, and sometimes He makes it quite clear. But regardless, when we walk away from His call in self-preservation and selfish ambition, ignoring His desires for us, other people are affected.
And just as God is willing to give us a second chance (or a 485th chance), we must understand that He is just as willing to give someone else another chance. He is merciful and loving. He wants every single one to come to Him. And this is why Jesus came to us - to shepherd all of us back to the Father.
When we run from God and His call, we are not the only ones who suffer. His purpose for our lives is not just for our benefit. He has created this intertwining tapestry, and will pull us into the lives of others for different reasons. Sometimes we don't even know God is using us in certain ways, and sometimes He makes it quite clear. But regardless, when we walk away from His call in self-preservation and selfish ambition, ignoring His desires for us, other people are affected.
And just as God is willing to give us a second chance (or a 485th chance), we must understand that He is just as willing to give someone else another chance. He is merciful and loving. He wants every single one to come to Him. And this is why Jesus came to us - to shepherd all of us back to the Father.
What are you running from?
What breaks your heart?
What breaks your heart?
Who is affected by your disobedience?
"The story of Nineveh's repentance is about God's perfect patience, His deep mercy, and His profound forgiveness." - Rebecca Faires
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