Friday, August 10 2012
Jonah 3
Verse of the Day: V1 “And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,”
1. The Word Of God (V1-2)
V1 “And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,”
The Word of God came to Prophet Jonah a second time telling him to preach to the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins. If God is not the God of the second chance, the Word of God would not have gone to Jonah, and the people of Nineveh would have been killed and condemned to the fiery pits of hell. The Lord gives us a second, a third, and many chances, because He is a merciful, gracious, longsuffering, patient and loving God.
V2 “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.”
2. The Work Of God (V3-8)
V3 “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.”
Jonah travelled in the hot sun for three days to preach the Word of God to the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins. It was not easy for Jonah to travel for three days, and to preach in the hot sun for forty days, but he knew that it was the mercy of God that he did not die in the storm because of his disobedience and rebellion. God’s work is not easy but it is a great blessing to be involved in the work of God as we shall be blessed in due time.
V4 “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.”
3. The Will Of God (V9-10)
V9 “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not?”
Jonah preached the Word of God, and laboured in the work of God, and let the Lord convict the hearts of the people to repent of their sins. Only God can convict and forgive sins. We do our part and let the Lord does His part. Though Jonah was doubtful of the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins because they were full of evil and wickedness, yet he trusted God for their salvation. Though it is the will of God for all to be saved, yet the Lord gives everyone a choice, whether to believe in or reject the true and living God.
V10 “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are the God of the second chance.
