“How can You ask this of me, God? How can You expect me to preach to a nation that is so wicked? Although they have done unimaginable things to others, I know that if they truly repent, You will relent from sending calamity. For I know that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love and I cannot risk the possibility of You being merciful to them. I cannot, I just cannot …” (Jonah 4:1-2, KJV, paraphrased)
I was first introduced to the story of Jonah and the Whale when I was a little girl. For years, every time I thought of Jonah, I thought of the Disobedient Prophet, the prophet who ran away from God instead of being obedient. But for some years now, my perspective has somewhat changed. The fact of him disobeying and running from God has not changed but instead of my focus being on Jonah and his actions/reactions, my focus is now on God: his actions and reactions. The story of Jonah and Nineveh presents me with another picture of God as the God of Mercy, giving his gift of mercy.
God showed Jonah mercy through the “prepared things” that He designed to lead Jonah back to the path of righteousness:
- The Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah (Jonah 1:17, KJV). He prepared an “instrument” that would save Jonah’s life.
- The Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land (Jonah 2:10, KJV). That “instrument” not only saved Jonah’s life, but was used to re-route him to and re-align him with destiny.
- The Lord God showed Jonah mercy in allowing him to retain his calling and gift as a prophet. He did not take it back because of Jonah’s disobedience. Jonah could still hear the voice and word of God. And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time (Jonah 3:1, KJV)
- When anger was consuming Jonah, the Lord God looked beyond Jonah’s emotional melt down and the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief (Jonah 4:6, KJV).
- Like a father who pities his children and sets himself to patiently teach them the way of the Lord, the Lord God prepared a worm and a scorching east wind (Jonah 4: 7-8, NIV) to help Jonah understand God’s heart towards people, His creation.
God did not have to show mercy to Jonah nor to the people of Nineveh but because He is love, He did. The account of Jonah testifies to me that despite my past, no matter how vile it might be, God desires to forgive me and to move me pass that past into life abundantly. He is faithful and has promised that, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9, NIV). He will restore and refresh [our] soul. He will guide [us] along the right paths for his name’s sake (Psalms 23:3, NIV). He will return us to the work that we had been doing for Him before we went astray, because God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them. His gifts and callings are irrevocable (Romans 11:29, EXB). Jonah reminds us that God has given to mankind the Gift of Mercy.
Let us pray: Dear Lord God, thank you for every “instrument” that you have prepared for the saving of my life. Thank you for every time that you have re-routed me to and re-aligned me with destiny. Thank you for not forsaking me because of my disobedience but for being that faithful, patient, and compassionate Father that desires for me to be rescued and delivered. Father, I pray that you would help me to make time to spend with you until your resurrection power can cause me to rise again, restored, and revived. I want to do your will Father and honor you all the days of my life. Amen!
DIG DEEPER:
- Blog Post: Getting Pass Your Past
- Bible Study: The Power of the 3-Day Prayer & Fasting