January 24, 2018 Wednesday

“The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.” When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.” (Jonah 3:5-10 NLT)

            Some will say that you can become too bad for God.  Others think that they are too bad for God.  But the story of Jonah is a story of the not just the great depth that Jonah reached in the great fish but the even greater depth of God’s mercy.

            God forgives the people of Nineveh at the time they are enemies of His people and are ruthless enemies of them and Him!  Without a doubt the people of Nineveh would even today be listed as one of the most brutal and horrific people.

            Yet their response to God’s message brought by Jonah causes an amazing response.

“People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence.”

            The people of Nineveh respond to God’s judgment with confession and a cry for mercy!  They knew they didn’t deserve God’s mercy but held a tiny hope if not faith.

“Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.”

            WOW!  The people of Nineveh had a better view of God than many today, even among God’s people!  Against all hope they hoped God would “change His mind” and relent from their destruction!  WOW!

            And then God DID!  When God saw they repented and sought forgiveness God “changed His mind” and did not destroy them!  I wonder how and when they knew God wouldn’t destroy them?  Did God reveal it or was it only when the time had gone by?

            Do you believe God can forgive you?  Even more, do you believe God can forgive others?  And most of all, do you believe God can forgive your worst enemy?  FOR GOD CAN!

            Bad days are starting back.  The new meds to help my stomach problems and the jerking and twitching seem to help but the overall pain and weaknesses are back.  I used to call these bad days but I realize these are also good days since God is with me.  The only bad days are those I do not seek God’s presence and love!!!