Sean Marks did a great job in our VBS adult class last night. He led us through a study of the book of Jonah.
What a great lesson this book teaches us on the grace of God and how God deals with us when we are in need of changing. It is a lesson we all need to remember. Not only for ourselves but in our dealings with others as well.
The book of Jonah is a great example of God’s love for all humanity. His compassion and His forgiveness, but the way He goes about extending His grace is important to consider.
Jonah’s message is God’s message. He delivers the message exactly as God has told him.
“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”
Where is the love in that? Oh, it’s there. It’s in the warning.
God tells them, as He tells us, your actions have consequences. Those consequences are real, they are not merely a threat. In forty days you will see the consequences.
The people of Nineveh respond with repentance. They express sorrow for their actions and they change their conduct. Their hope is that God will see the change in their lives and respond favorably to their change.
He does, much to the disappointment of Jonah. God always responds to the truly penitent heart that begins to strive to please Him. God offers grace, but not on our terms.