Scripture

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah 3:1-2 (NIV)

Observation

Too often, we worry about missing God’s blessings due to disobedience, ignorance, or other reasons. However, these verses from Jonah confirm that we can do the opposite of what God tells us to do, and when we repent, He will give us a second chance.

Indeed, consider this verse from Isaiah:

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)

Now, consider Romans 5:8:

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (emphasis added).

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Jonah was a prophet of the Lord, yet what did he do when the Lord told him to do something?

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord (emphasis added).

Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV)

Jonah didn’t just ignore what the Lord told him to do; he actively sought to flee from God, hoping to avoid His command.

If God sent Jesus to die for us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:10), and through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have salvation, then how much more will He give us additional chances when we repent and turn back to Him?

Application

Repent and turn away from sin. Ask the Lord to reveal anything you’re purposely doing that offends Him, or anything you might be doing in ignorance. Then, repent from those things.

Prayer

Lord, I praise and magnify You for who You are. I repent of those things known and unknown that I’ve done. Thank You for salvation. Please open my eyes, ears, and heart to see, hear, and understand what the Spirit is saying and reveal to me anything I’ve done that is not pleasing in Your sight. Father, I ask that You look upon those reading this today and help them to turn away as well. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for doing these things. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.