Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 6 The word reached[c] the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Jonah 3:1-10 ESV Bible Gateway
“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you…” (Jonah 3:1-2) God recommissioned Jonah to go to Nineveh and finish what He was called to do. God had given a second chance to Jonah, a believer, who failed to obey His command the first time. How gracious is our Lord that He doesn’t define us by our failure! “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29) God patiently brought His hard headed prophet back to His desired path, and commended him to arise from where he fell. When Jonah did just what God had commanded, he was still able to accomplish great things for the Lord. It’s by His grace, and grace alone! Praise the Lord for His restoring grace!
God also gave a second chance to the city of Nineveh, a sinful gentile nation. The city was heading to destruction because of their sins and wickedness. Yet when true repentance happens, the Lord forgives! God never despises a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). He accepts and receives them with open arms! Such an amazing love and grace from God that we may never comprehend!
Everyone can use a second chance, believers and nonbelievers! Praise the Lord that He is the God of second chance! He is the God of forgiveness. We’ve all received a second chance to start a new life in Christ! And when we fail to fulfill God’s mission like Jonah, He will also provide a second chance for us to return to His will. We received the grace of God’s forgiveness. Is there someone in our life that we can’t forgive? Let’s pray and ask the God of forgiveness to give us the power and strength to forgive and love.
Dear Lord, thank you for your mercy and love! Thank you for your forgiveness and giving me a second chance to live with You. Give me the power and strength to also forgive others just like how you did it for me.
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