Monday, September 1, 2008

Jonah - Example Set

Jonah 3:1-2 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."

We are so blessed to have a God of second chances. I wonder where Jonah was - had he just come out of the fish? Had he been walking around on the shore for a couple of hours? How long had God waited to talk to Jonah again. Did Jonah wait to hear from God before he decided to do anything? I think as soon as Jonah came out onto shore and was aware of his surroundings God began to get a hold of him. The reason I think this is because Jonah had already been crying out to God and God knew that Jonah would need to feel His presence.

He tells Jonah the same thing He told him the first time: "Go to Ninevah and tell them what I tell you to tell them". Notice there is no sarcasm here - no "and don't take a boat trip this time" or "try not to go fishing beforehand". God, in His always loving, always forgiving, always patient tone - simply explains to Jonah what He wants him to do.

Are we willing to respond the same way to someone who's done wrong to us? If someone has apologized to us, are we strong enough to let that person know that we still love them and are willing to move past it? Are we willing to follow the example that God has given us in His dealings with Jonah?

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