God May Turn

""Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish."" (Jonah 3:9 NAS95)

When faced with our own wickedness, we have two choices. Turn from this and to God or continue down this path and perish. Jonah knows this and therefore said, "You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity" (Jonah 4:2).

Knowing a compassionate God means that he is slow to anger with the rebellion in our life and the wickedness in our heart. God loves showing his mercy to those who seek his face. Repenting from sin leads to understanding God's good and perfect will for all who call on his name. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23). 

God's gift is free to those who desire to receive this great gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Turn from the sin in your life and to the God of righteousness who knows the plans he has for you. God knows what is best for you and will work his will out in your favor for his Glory in Christ Jesus.

God desires that man not perish but repent and have life. God is able to withdraw your just punishment and show mercy and his awesome grace so you will not perish but have everlasting life.

All Scripture from New American Standard Bible 1995 Update Version.

Faint Not

"While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, And my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple" (Jonah 2:7 NAS95).

In times of strength it is good to know the Lord. When things are well it is good practice to know how to go to the Lord in prayer and seek his will. The saying you play how you practice is good to apply here. Everyday practice of a Christian's life should involve crying out to the Lord and praying. 

Jonah rejected the Lord and went after his own way. Isaiah says, "All of us like sheep have gone astray" (Isa. 53:6). The grace and the mercy of God moves on his children's behalf. God sees the darkness of our sin and the lost state we are in and he still desires to hear our cry. These desperate cries make into his holy temple into his presence. Jesus as out mediator presents our plea before the Lord and the Lord hears our cry.

The Lord is mighty to save. While we are weak and faint and all one has is a desperate cry. This cry does not fall on deaf ears or someone unable to respond to the call. God is able to respond and save all who call on the name of the Lord(Romans 10:13). 

Therefore remember how the Lord delivered you from your sin sickness and repent. Do not go back to that position of weakness you once were. Now walk in the newness and the strength that God gives you through Jesus Christ. All because of the Great love of Jesus Christ the Lord.