When Pigs Fly Week 1: Thursday

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." Jonah 3:1-2

When was the last time someone gave you a second chance? What happened? One time that came to mind for me was when one of my professors in college gave me another chance after I turned in a paper late. The professor had mercy and accepted my paper past its due date. I felt so much relief and gratitude toward my professor. Maybe you can relate to these feelings after you receive a second chance. Today we will look at Jonah 3 and see how Jonah and the people of Nineveh responded to God's second chance to obey Him.

After God rescued Jonah from the fish, He gave Jonah another chance to obey Him. This time, Jonah listened. He went to Nineveh and told the people, "Forty days from now and Nineveh will be destroyed" (verse 4). Now, this was not a particularly helpful message. Jonah gave no instruction about repenting from sin. He did not tell them what to do to avoid God's judgment. He gave God's message, but He gave as few details about repenting as possible. Remarkably, the Ninevites repented. When they heard Jonah, they "believed God's message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow" (verse 5). The Ninevites willingness to repent and return to God is nothing short of remarkable. These evil people who were cruel and disobedient toward God listened to Jonah's brief message and turned to God. Jonah was not the only one who received a second chance. The Ninevites received a second chance, too.

God gives more chances. He does not just give second chances. He gives third, fourth, and fifth chances, too. God gives us more chances to obey Him. If you have been disobeying or ignoring something He has called you to do, it is not too late. Turn to Him today! He is ready to offer a new chance to obey him.

Moving toward action

Is there something God has called you to do that you have been avoiding? It is not too late! God gives more chances. In fact, today is a new chance for you to walk toward obedience. What would it look like to turn to God and obey Him today? Take a step to do that thing today. As you do, thank God that He gives second, third, and fourth chances to obey Him. 

Going Deeper

Jonah 3:1-5