Have YOu Counted Your Second Chances?

Jonah 3:1-4 -  And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,  Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.    So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD.   Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.    And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.  

 

God’s words to Jonah were exactly what did said the first time.  He was told to warn this wicked city that they had 40 days to get their act together….or they would die. It is amazing to me that Jonah’s words were received so quickly.  Crowds gathered as he stopped every few steps he had to travel the three days that it took to give God’s message to the whole city.

 

His preaching was so effective that God changed his mind. So many people repented of their sin and asked God’s forgiveness it created a huge impact on even the King. He called for a total fast of food and water….even for the animals that they cared for.  They were asked to dress in sackcloth and sit in ashes…a common way in that day to show a contrite ….broken…completely humble heart.

 

Jesus even used Jonah’s story in Matthew 12:39-41…..to prove his point that anyone who repented and asked to be saved would receive that grace and mercy from God. These evil people from Nineveh accepted God’s love so much quicker that the stubborn people of Israel that God had chosen to be his favorites.

 

It is a reminder to me that it is not the choice to routinely listen to God’s word that makes a difference in my life.  It is what I do in obedience after hearing it that shows God my heart. The words of James 2: 14-17 jump off the page and become so real….it says…. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?  can faith save him?   If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;  notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body;  what doth it profit?   Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. “

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that you require obedience. Forgive me for the times that I have been disobedient and prevented others from the opportunity to know about your love.  Thank you fro the second chances you have given me to do it right the second time…and even third. Help me to always pray that you keep my mind and heart fixed so completely on you that I remain obedient…even when it seems hard.  Amen.