Jonah 3:1-5: 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. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
The book of Jonah is a story about second chances. For the Ninevites, yes, with God delivering them from destruction out of his abundant love. But also a second chance for Jonah himself.
By the time we encounter Jonah in chapter 3, he had received God’s command to go to Nineveh and call them to repentance. We know he was unwilling to preach the message of salvation to Israel’s enemies, that he had run away from God, was caught in a storm, thrown into the sea, and swallowed by a great fish. But God delivered Jonah and here we see the word of the Lord coming to him a second time.
God wanted Jonah to be part of his redemptive work. Not because he could not accomplish it without Jonah, but because he was also concerned with restoring Jonah’s heart. God was not deterred by Jonah’s disobedience. Instead, God pursued him, saved him from death, and gave Jonah the commission anew: Go and proclaim the message I give you.
From Jonah’s story, we see that despite our shortcomings, stubbornness, and begrudging heart, the Lord can still use us in his work of saving and transforming lives. In the midst of the uncertainty and suffering around us today, we recognize the need for people to receive the hope of salvation and to experience God’s kindness and mercy in tangible ways.
If you think you are not good enough for God to use – not ready enough, loving enough, or “holy” enough – think again. If you have been in ministry but you have grown lukewarm or fallen short, God is not done with you yet. Take the chances you are given. We all have a role to play in bearing Jesus to the world – where is he telling you to go?
Prayer: Thank you Lord, that you are not limited by our shortcomings to fulfill your purposes. Create in us an obedient and compassionate heart to proclaim the gospel and be expressions of your relentless love to those in need.
By Joyce Tolentino
Mandaluyong, Philippines
Very inspiring devotional! Ruth Miller
Joyce,
Thanks much for the encouragement.
Every blessing,
Santiago
Joyce,
Thank you for refreshing our minds with this inspirational devotional reminding us of how much God loves us and really does mean what He says that “it’s His desire that none perish and that He sent His Son “to seek and to save that which is lost”, AND that Jesus came to draw ALL people to Himself.
Very helpful reminder! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Joyce for the encouragement to keep heading forward and take comfort in knowing our God is Gracious, Merciful, slow to anger, abundant in lovingkindness, & One who relents from doing harm! Jon 4:2 We to are like Nineveh naturally, who cannot discern between our right hand and our left. Thank God He renews us daily in His Mercies & in Him Only we have Hope!
Lam 3:22-24
Another wonderful reminder of our loving God and what he is doing in us His forgiveness and love. Thanks for the reminder.