GOD OF SECOND CHANCE
SONG
When He calls me, I will answer.
When He calls me, I will answer.
When He calls me, I will answer
I'll be somewhere working for my LORD.
TEXT
Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-3
Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
1:2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jonah 3:1-3. And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, ...
From our Scriptural reading of today, the Word of God came to Jonah two times. They were not different from one another.
God had told him to go to Nineveh and preach to the people there. He disobeyed God and went to a different direction, he was swallowed up by a great fish.
The second time, he just had to obey.
Jonah 3:1-3. And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, ...
One thing is certain, no matter how long we avoid God's instruction, it's still there for us to deal with, when we stop running.
Eventually, we see that being in God's will and not being out of it, is what brings peace and joy to us in life.
We have to surrender our own wills because working out our self-centered will or way will keep us unhappy, and unfulfilled in life.
Unless and until we say, "Lord not my will but Your will", we will not find true happiness and peace.
Running from difficult things never works in the long term.
God never leads us anywhere He can not keep us. If God is leading you to deal with an unpleasant situation in your life do not try to run from it. He promises never to leave you or forsake you, but to see you to the end.
Unpleasant things happen when we go in the opposite direction from where God has directed us.
When Jonah boarded a ship and headed to his own direction, not God's instructed direction, a storm arose threatening him!
It's interesting to note that many of the storms we face in life are the result of our own stubbornness, and nothing else. We may try to blame them on other things, people or even on God, but the truth is that in many instances, we have been disobedient to the voice and leadership of God.
Do you know that by not obeying God's instruction, you can put the lives of others in jeopardy like Jonah did in the ship? The lives of your family can be in danger because of your disobedience.
Remember that when you disobey God, you and others as well will face the consequences. Your obedience on the other hand can bring great blessings to many and even serve to save a generation or a nation.
Are you presently in any unusual or difficult circumstance of life? Jonah certainly felt that way while in the belly of the fish. God was using that circumstance to get his attention. Perhaps, it might be so with you!
No matter how desperate or hopeless your situation may be, no matter how far away you may seem from God, He is waiting to hear your cry of repentance and He is ready to help you out.
Jonah 2:2 "... I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice."
Right in the belly of the fish, Jonah cried out and God heard him. Though Jonah was in a bad place like a grave or a dark place. he turned to God and he cried to his Savior.
The decision you make today will determine where you will be tomorrow. It may interest you to know that the decision you took yesterday has resulted in where you are today. If that's your case, I announce to you this morning that there's still hope for you.
There is a second chance for you in Christ Jesus. This being the main purpose for His coming, He has not given up on you. Come right away to Him, for His arms are ever widely open to welcome back the one who's gone astray and you will be happy you ever did.
God bless you.
PRAYER
Lord, God Almighty, I am very sorry for my disobedience to your commandment(s) which has led me to where I find myself today. l repent of all my wrongs. Thank you for being gracious to me in Jesus Mighty name. 🙏 🙏 🙏