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Unlikely Revival
God's grace comes in various forms, but it always means that we get something good that we don't deserve. For Jonah and for Nineveh, we see how God loves to extend grace as he gives them both a second chance.
In obedience to God, Jonah preaches the shortest sermon imaginable: in one sentence, he says all that God intends for the people of Nineveh. Jonah's own story of brokenness and grace speaks louder than words; the message is clear.
Amazingly, like the sailors in chapter 1, the Ninevites respond in faith and repentance! How could this happen? At the same time, Amos is preaching better sermons back in Israel, and he's getting no response from God's people. In Nineveh, from the king on down, every man, woman and child obeys the call to repent and turn from their wicked ways.
"Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger..." —In the only terms he understands, the king echoes Jonah's declaration of God in chapter 2. He recognizes God as the Sovereign Source of salvation ("Salvation belongs to the Lord!").
God's response might also seem surprising. God "relented" from the destruction he had planned (verse 10). How do we understand that God never changes (Malachi 3:6), yet he "relents?" There is a seemingly incongruous mystery here. A God who does not change appears to have done so.
However, we can clearly see throughout the Bible that God's character never changes; whenever God appears to have changed, it is in the context of holding back his wrath or extending his blessing. Mankind has existed under God's gracious relenting ever since sin entered the world. God relents from sending disaster because of his steadfast, enduring love.
Everyone and anyone (including you and I) can be saved because God holds back the punishment that we deserve! Jesus took all of our punishment on himself. We do not need to fear God's wrath ever again.
May we rest in that truth! May we joyfully spread the good news that "Salvation belongs to the Lord!"
About this Plan
It's often easy for us to beat up on Jonah for his self-centered, foolish rebellion. But as we'll discover, there's a bit of Jonah in all of us. Overcome by self-centeredness and personal prejudices, we too sometimes resist God's call. Thankfully, when we act like Jonah, God acts like God—lovingly pursuing us with his unrelenting grace. It's a wild ride, but one you don't want to miss!
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