Jonah / July 6

The book of Jonah could be subtitled “the God of another chance.” The LORD sent Jonah to Nineveh to proclaim the judgment that loomed over them in hopes that they would repent and He could hold back the judgment. Jonah didn’t want the enemies of his people receiving mercy, so he decided to go Tarshish (far away from them in the opposite direction). Jonah’s rebellion led God to cause a huge fish to swallow him; when he repented, the fish spit him out and Jonah got a second chance. After God had originally told him to arise and go to Nineveh in chapter one, in Jonah 3:2 the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." God gave Jonah a second chance so He could give Nineveh a second chance. Thank You God you are longsuffering, not willing that any would perish, but that they would come to repentance.