Jonah Part II: Repentance

    

*Repent (verb): to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one's mind; creeping; prostrate (2022, Merriam-Webster).  

    Last time, we discussed Jonah and his opportunity to witness during his trials that he put himself into. Now, we are going to skip ahead to the Ninevites and the true representation of repentance. Jonah had already been thrown overboard into the sea, swallowed by the big fish, prayed, and spat out onto dry land. Now, we are in chapter three of Jonah, after the Lord spoke through Jonah to the Ninevites declaring, "Yet forty days, and Ninevah shall be overthrown," (Jonah 3:4, KJV). 

    Just to give you a "big-picture" view on the subject matter and really emphasize my point, Ninevah was a large city, and to walk through this city would take three days (Jonah 3:3, NASB). Jonah only walked through the city for a day, and didn't even cover the entire length before the message of the Lord spread throughout the entire city. Ninevah! A city known for its' pagan, idolatrous worship; they served many gods but not the one and only true God.  It didn't take but one day for them to realize the danger they were in. This is another message in how we have the power, through God, to turn things around if we are truly sincere and repentant of heart. 

    From the outside looking in, you would say, "Oh yeah, they're totally going to get it now. They've done too much to not be punished." However "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34, KJV), so if He can show grace to the righteous who have fallen, He can definitely show grace to the lowly of lows...even those who blaspheme His name. Disclaimer: this is not to say that God is not a man of His word; He eventually did overthrow Ninevah but not at this time due to their repentance. Whatever the Lord releases, He has to perform, either now or later on down the line years' later.  

    Ninevah's repentance reached all the way to the king of Ninevah! He had set forth a proclamation for Ninevah (even their animals) to fast, cover themselves with sackcloth, and earnestly call on God to relent concerning their calamity. Isn't it ironic how people who had nothing to do with God, took heed to His warnings swiftly with no question? The fear of the Lord was instilled in them that day, for the message given through Jonah had an anointing on it that could move more than 100 thousands of people in one day!

    Look at the lesson here! See how true repentance looks like! Truly giving your all to God, releasing those sinful ways that are unacceptable in His sight, setting your face like flint to Him, and purifying your heart to receive Him is true repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV)---this is what the Ninevites did. Living a life for the Lord is repentance every day, staying in the Lord's face, praying without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17, KJV), and obeying His word. This is how you keep the fire of the Lord burning in your heart and your surroundings. This is how the fire that's developed surrounds you and protects you and your family...it begins with repentance. 

    The Lord says, "The ones who are broken are easier to mold. I cannot work with a pretty, put-together vase." Are you pliable? From repentance comes the opportunity to be flexible to move when God says move and go where the Lord says to go, but you have to start with an inner-change. Repentance doesn't always mean your troubled days are gone, but it does mean you would be in right-standing with the Lord, and on that final day Jesus will recognize you and usher you in to your eternal resting place. However, repentance is in the name; you have to change from what you were doing, to now living a life for Christ. It's not a one-stop-shop...it's a lifestyle, and we grow throughout this life so give it time for God to do a great work in you. 

**Prayer time! 😊: Father, we just thank you that you give us the opportunity and chances to get it right. Where is there a God like you? No one! We thank you that, Father, you are changing us from the inside-out, as we continuously seek your face evermore. Lord, we repent of those things that we know we did wrong, and we repent of the things that we don't even know were wrong. Lord, show us our impurities, clean them out now, in the name of Jesus. Make us whole again, again, and again until we can truly wear the image of Christ with honor and not hidden shame. Father, let us take you seriously and the call that you have placed on each and every one of our lives. Thank you Lord for growing in us each and every day, as we take the time with you. We vow to pray to you consistently, study our word everyday, fast when you call us to, and just plain be obedient to those things you've told us to do. There is no greater love than the one you have shown to us each and every day, and for that we say thank you. In Jesus' Name- Amen.**