...In with the New

It is a new year.

God of another Chance (v.1-2)

Before we get to anything about Jonah we have to first see the grace and mercy of God at work in the life of Jonah. God could have, should have, allowed Jonah to perish in the storm but God’s work for Jonah was God’s will for Jonah so God does not allow Jonah to mess up his plan for Jonah.

God continued employment of Jonah lets us know that just because Jonah as messed up God still sees his potential.

God does not mind repeating Himself.

God is a loving parent who keeps on talking until we get it.

Growing (v.3)

What I love about Jonah in Chapter 3 is that this is not the same Jonah we meet in ch 1 and 2. Nah, this Jonah has been through something. This man has experienced what it feels like to be broken and at rock bottom. This Jonah has grow up a little bit. He now has the testimony of what God can and will do when you are willing to submit your life to God. This is good point to remind you that Jonahs change of mind is not necessarily a change of heart. When we meet Jonah he is already God’s prophet. This story is not Jonah’s conversion to the Hebrew faith, nor is it a call story unto the prophetic ministry. Jonah rejects God as God’s prophet. Meaning, that just because this brotha was walking with the LORD and as he himself said in ch.1 “Feared the LORD” it does not mean they are perfect and wont at times have challenges in their walk with God.

Part of Jonah’s growing is that he took the lumps and bruises of his past experiences and is now ready to walk with God. It doesn’t matter how long ago it was, how much he messed up, how difficult it would be, how unqualified he was, how unworthy he was, how wrong he was, if God was willing to give him a second chance that he better learn from those mistakes and get back on track. If God was willing to forgive Jonah, then Jonah must forgive Jonah. (Preach forgive yourself). Growing is being willing to move on and forgive yourself.

Growing also means loving people you don’t like. (preach)

Going (v.4-5)

Its one thing to say yes to do God, it is something else entirely to do “yes” to God.

Nineveh does not believe God until they receive the Word of the Lord. And they do not receive the Word of the Lord until Jonah proclaims God’s word. Romans 10:14-15 says, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”” So, the salvation and blessings and correction of people we entrusted to might very well be realized only in your obedience to share with them what you know about God. (I know run…)

The work that God has for Jonah is simple, “proclaim the proclamation which I am going to tell you.” and the proclamation is simple, “Yet in 40 days Nineveh will be destroyed.” How God uses the simple things of the world to shame the wise is a mystery. And how God uses the weak to put down the strong is a mystery. Don’t put so much stock on your efforts that you exclude God’s mysterious power to work for and through you. But the message was a simple message of judgment with time to repent. I’m so glad that God uses simple but powerful messages to change the hearts of nations. (Teach)

Sojourner Truth had a short message, “Ain’t I a Woman?”

Fredrick Douglass, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

Fannie Lou Hammer, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired”

Martin King, “I have a dream”

Arthur Fletcher, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

Jessie Jackson, “I am somebody”

Barak Obama, “Yes we can”

Moses, “let my people Go”

Joshua, “Choose ye this day who you will serve.”

Joseph, “what you meant for evil God meant for good”

Job, “I know my redeemer lives”

Isaiah, “The Lord will Save”

Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you...”

Amos, “let justice roll down like water and righteousness a mighty stream”

Jonah, “in 40 days God will destroy Nineveh”

John the Baptist, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at Hand.”

John, “and the word became flesh and we beheld his glory.”

Paul’s, “if you confess with your mouth...”

Peter’s, “repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Jesus, “For God so loved the world...”

All I’m saying is that one word can change.

All Jonah did was trust God with his message and let God do the rest.