A Second Time

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time…

Jonah 3:1 NLT

 Wait… can I try that again?

 The gift of second chances.

 God was so kind to Jonah. Do you know his story?

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Aittai, “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. (Jonah 1:1-3 NLT).

 Yeah… Jonah went the opposite direction… to get away from the Lord.

 Yikes!

 Have you ever done that?

 Honestly, I have.

 I knew what God wanted… and I hate to admit it… but I stopped doing it!

 I relate to this about Jonah’s story…

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… (Jonah 3:1-3 NLT).

 Then, the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time… as if saying, “Let’s try this again!”

 God is so patient with us…

For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. (Psalm 103:14 NLT).

 This life journey with God is a journey of trust.

 Jonah did not agree with God… and he didn’t trust Him.

 Notice the unrest… the absence of peace in Jonah.

 Then, Jonah’s sin caused one of the oddest rides of his life… in the belly of a fish.

 So take note, if there is worry, you are not trusting God… it is a clue for you.

 My anxiousness revealed my sin… my lack of trust… my need for repentance.

 Just like Jonah… God in His mercy gave me another try too.

 This time… I obeyed.

 Do you relate? Repent and trust.

Father, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me telling me to obey You and to trust You. And I fail. You know I am weak and but dust. Thank You for your mercy and giving me another try. Help me trust You and walk in obedience to Your Will. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis