Our Awesome God Does Awesome Things!

O. T. #2168  "Our Awesome God Does Awesome Things!"

April 12, 2022

Jonah 3-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

God sent His prophet Jonah to the evil city of Nineveh to warn the people of His judgment coming in 40 days. It was because of their luxurious living and sexual immorality, godless music, drunkenness, idolatry, brutality to enemies. Can we understand why Jonah ran away in the opposite direction, caught a cargo ship to sail away from the presence of the LORD God. However, that is impossible. god is everywhere, sees all, and hears all, as well as knows all.

After spending 3 days and nights in the belly of a whale, Jonah probably looked like a bleach man of white hair and skin. (Jews are dark skinned and hair.) So that makes me think that his condition got the attention of the Ninevites. They could see first hand what happens to a man who rebels against God's will. Don't you think they believed Jonah whenever he said judgment of God was coming?

The people repented of their sins, the king told his citizens to fast and cry mightily unto God, and turn everyone from their evil and violence. (verse 8)

Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not? (verse 9)

In the Hebrew language, repent and repented have the same meaning: to sigh; to breathe strongly; to pity; console.

Since God is perfect in all His ways, He has no need to repent of sins. The Ninevites believed God, turned from their sins, and received the mercy of God. He did not destroy their city.

God changed His mind and let the people of Nineveh live. What love! Folks, this same God loves us, too. Have you confessed your sins and turned to God ?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

 

LET IT GROW

If 75% of the 175,000 population got saved, then that would have been 131,250 lives changed. God told Jonah that He would not do what He had said about destroying Nineveh. (verse 10)

Jonah almost missed the privilege of participating in this great evangelistic event because he didn't like what God told him to do. If you run from God's will, you might miss out on one of the most significant moves of God in your life. We have to walk by faith to see what He's up to. God doesn't always explain Himself in advance. (Tony Evans)

Can I share something personal here? We waited a year and 7 months for God to show us His will, our next place of service unto Him. I admit that I got weary in the wait. My husband had resigned a church where he was pastor 22 years because God told him to do so. Later, God told me to move, go. However, He didn't say where, so we waited  on further instructions. In the meantime, we searched for another house. Perhaps God only wanted us to leave the farm. Nothing worked out, to my great disappointment. Oh, I found beautiful houses, in our price range, but my husband could not get peace about buying them. So we waited longer.

Then in August, my husband was asked to fill in preaching while our preacher friend had surgery, Complications set in and he passed away some 4 months later. Hubby agreed to stay at the church preaching while they continued to look for a new pastor. During that time, we did not feel the leading of the Lord to turn in his resume. After 3 times votes for  prospects were negative, we began to wonder if my husband was supposed to their new pastor. After much prayer, he turned in his resume. After a month passed, he was voted as pastor yesterday. We stand in awe of an Awesome God and His workings. God did it all, not us. They are such a loving church, such a blessing. We know God has great plans for them and us ahead.

Folks, you can also receive blessing from God when you wait upon His leading. Do not give up hope. God can still save your loved ones, give you the needed job, provide for all your needs.

LET IT GO

How mighty is our God!

How merciful You are, our Savior and Creator!

May You bless all who read this today.

We give you thanks for life today and praise for You goodness.