A Big Fish TaleSample

A Second Chance

When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, He was giving the people of Nineveh a chance to change from their evil ways. Jonah didn’t like the idea and thought, No way!

It’s hard for us to imagine saying “no” to God, but if we think about it, most of us already have at one time or another. When our answer to God is “no,” we later realize it wasn’t the right answer. Sometimes we forget God knows what’s best for us. He knew us before we were born, and he even knows our thoughts. He knows our past, present, and future! Everything, we think, say, and do is seen by God, and He still loves us beyond measure.

Jonah’s rejection of God landed him inside the belly of a fish for three days. Fortunately, Jonah repented, and God had the huge fish spit him out. Even though Jonah refused God the first time—just like the evil people of Nineveh refused Him, Jonah was given a second chance.

The Bible is God’s loving instruction to us. If we follow His leading, we will be blessed no matter what we face. He will get us through it all. We will be a blessing and an example of God’s mercy and grace through Jesus to others.