It has been proven to me repeatedly, through God’s Word in the lives of the repentant and in my own life, that when we are at our worst and lowest, our prayers become more honest and sincere.  God bends down to hear our honest cry for help.  Kneeling before God in the ashes of regret and remorse for our sins draws us as close the heart of God as we can get. 

When we really mean, “I’m sorry, Lord, forgive me”—God hears and lifts us up, out of the ashes and dirt of sin and puts us back on our feet with a cleansed heart, renewed thinking and refreshed soul that bring joy to our being as never before.  This is what is meant when people say God lifted them from ashes to beauty and from dark to Light!  Since God so loved the world and sent His Son to redeem us of all sins, it is also His desire that “no one perish” so He sends the redeemed to tell others of His saving grace through repentance.

God is in control. Nothing escapes the notice of God.  God created all, is in all and above all.  God is sovereign.  God knows our hearts and minds, looking for honesty and devoted commitment to Him.

God can and does change His mind throughout history when it comes to rearranging the world in order to save it.  The question I ponder though is:  Did God change His mind or did men and women change their minds in ways they could hear him again?  One thing I do know because of my own relationship and experience with God:  God pulls us to Himself, He wants us to love Him back without force or coercion on His part, and wants to save us from the sins of evil (God’s enemy) we succumb to by forgiving us.  When we finally come to the end of ourselves, God is there waiting patiently to forgive and fill us with His love again.  Without God, there is an emptiness that can filled only by God, our Creator, who created mankind to be in communion (relationship) with Him.

Jonah 3, The Message

Maybe God Will Change His Mind

^1-2 Next, God spoke to Jonah a second time: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.”

³ This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying God’s orders to the letter.

Nineveh was a big city, very big—it took three days to walk across it.

⁴ Jonah entered the city, went one day’s walk and preached, “In forty days Nineveh will be smashed.”

⁵ The people of Nineveh listened, and trusted God. They proclaimed a citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentance. Everyone did it—rich and poor, famous and obscure, leaders and followers.

^6-9 When the message reached the king of Nineveh, he got up off his throne, threw down his royal robes, dressed in burlap, and sat down in the dirt. Then he issued a public proclamation throughout Nineveh, authorized by him and his leaders: “Not one drop of water, not one bite of food for man, woman, or animal, including your herds and flocks! Dress them all, both people and animals, in burlap, and send up a cry for help to God. Everyone must turn around, turn back from an evil life and the violent ways that stain their hands. Who knows? Maybe God will turn around and change his mind about us, quit being angry with us and let us live!”

¹⁰ God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn’t do.

WHAT DO WE LEARAN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When we think sinful people will not possibly listen to God’s message of salvation, we need to rethink.  We need to realize that if God sends us to speak to someone or a group of people that means HE has gone before us to prepare hearts in ways we have not seen.  God knew the people of Ninevah were ready to hear the call to repentance with prepared hearts ready to turn back around to God, leaving their sinful lives behind.

I’m reminded of a little girl in my Sunday School class who just heard that her friend accepted Jesus the Sunday before when she was not there.  She looked up at me, her teacher, and said, “Well, I have been waiting to do that for a looong time!”  I told her the plan of salvation which she readily accepted because God had prepared her heart. I learned my lesson that day, too!  Be ready to share how to be saved in Jesus Name at all times!

Friends, it’s all God, all about God, done in Jesus Name, Who saves us all.  Lessons will be learned but will not make sense until we give our hearts, minds, and souls to Jesus. Be sensitive to God’s Holy Spirit, even more than the lesson before you that you have been given to teach.  God prepares hearts, yours and mine, and those hearts and minds He sends us to share His Good News of Salvation.  Will some say no?  Yes, because God created us with free will to choose Him or not.  But, God’s Word also says that planting seeds of Truth will not be in vain.  Keep spreading the news…

Jonah finally obeyed God and preached in Nineveh. The people and their king responded immediately, and God had compassion on them.

God’s words can have a transforming effect on people, causing them to repent from their sins. He is willing to pardon all who come to him.

God’s mercy is amazing. He offers second chances, pardons, grace. If God tells you to speak to others about their actions, take courage. You might be surprised at how many accept your words of testimony about God and repent.

Believe and be saved. 

Lord,

Thank you for these thoughts for today as we study the life of Jonah. Prepare our hearts to share your message to those you are preparing.  Help us hear your voice above all others voices and follow your lead in your way in your time.  For your ways are perfect. Thank you for saving my soul and continually transforming my mind.  I love you with all that is in me.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen