January 23, 2018 Tuesday

“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” This time Jonah obeyed the LORD’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”” (Jonah 3:1-4 NLT)

            “A second time”.  God called Jonah to go fishing in Nineveh and instead he got caught by God through a great fish.  But God renews the call of Jonah and gave him another chance.

            Do you give those in the Church a second chance?  Do you look for God to patiently change people as God patiently changed you?

            Jonah is such a sad tale of a prophet who did not want to let go of his hate to give others a second chance even after God had given him a second chance.  But finally Jonah enters the massive city of Nineveh with the message that God would destroy it in 40 days.

            God’s call for Jonah must have seemed daunting to walk for three days across an evil city crying out that they would be destroyed.  What if God called you to do that in New York, London, Beijing or any other capital or important city?  Would you go or would you run as Jonah did?  Would you be nervous thinking about those strange people who preach the Good News on street corners?

            God’s call for Jonah must have seemed strange not just to Jonah but also to the people of Nineveh.  Why would they who lived in a powerful city in a powerful nation listen to such a strange and amazing cry?

            Like this verse we may in our lives share the message and never see the result of it.  We may just plant the seed that God will grow into a fertile crop of people who will answer God’s call to plant seeds for others!

           

            This is the fifth day when I have felt well.  It is coming to an end since I had a rough time last night.  I went to see Dr. Byrd today and she said that all I was suffering from was explained by the Small Fiber Neuropathy.  She gave me new medicines to help with more symptoms and try to keep up with the growing strain and pain.  But God is so good and even the bad days are good!