Today we are going to cover the story of Jonah
Some background to know is that Jonah lived during a time of moral decay and worldly unrest
We could be talking about today just as easily
So God told Jonah to go and instead Jonah tried to run away from God
In today’s tumultuous world God is telling His people to go and tell but most are trying to hide instead
Why did Jonah do that?
Everything he had been taught in Israel was to hate those against Israel
He had been taught to be against people that were not Godly
God changed the narrative and said preach repentance to this people
Today American Christians also have these biases against lost people
We somehow believe that God only loves America and those who have already accepted Him
We would probably never say that but it is how we act
What happened to Jonah when he ran from God
Even when Jonah was disobedient God protected him
However Jonah was miserable in this situation
When a Christian is not doing what God calls them to do they can not have true Joy.
See even when we are disobedient if we call on the Lord He will answer
This was a second chance for Jonah
He did what God asked but he wasn’t happy about it
God even used this half hearted effort to open the hearts of the people of Nineveh
If we are honest we are just like this sometimes today.
God gives us chance after chance but we somehow feel others don’t deserve that
The story of Jonah ends without saying if Jonah ever had a change of heart
When we leave Jonah he is still miserable even after doing what God told him to do
God will give us second chances and He will use us despite ourselves
When we are begrudgingly serving God we will not receive the Joy that should be there
Today my question for you is are you running from God?
Are you serving Him but not happy about it?
Wouldn’t you like to have the Joy that God gives when we serve Him gladly?
Use your second chances joyfully!
