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).
God held back His judgment on the Ninevites when they believed His message through Jonah. The Ninevites must have seen God's miracles that He had done through other nations, and when they heard of God's judgment, they repented immediately. God doesn't want anyone to go through His judgment no matter what they have done. He wants everybody to come to repentance and be saved. Ezekiel 33:11a says, "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live..." Our God is merciful, and the only way to receive His mercy is through humility and repentance before Him. We must believe, humble ourselves before God, and repent from our sins to be forgiven and restored. The Assyrians did all these things, and they received mercy and forgiveness.
God accepts us back when we believe and repent of our sins, no matter what we have done in the past. There is always forgiveness and restoration in God. Jesus came, died, and resurrected to save sinners like us. Let us rejoice and be thankful for His mercy.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you) Why did Jesus come, die, and be resurrected? What does God desire for sinners? What must I do to be forgiven of my sins?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for being a merciful God. Thank you for forgiving all my sins and restoring me to become the person you want me to be. I praise you for saving me. Please help me not to give in to sins that easily entangle me. Please deliver me from temptations and help me to fix my eyes on you and trust you completely. In your name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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