Monday, August 22, 2022
Nineveh Will Be Destroyed! – Nah, I’m Good
August 22, 2022/ in Week 3, Bible Study
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In the third week of our Nah, I’m Good series, we find Jonah obeying God’s original command. Maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t he remind you of when someone (your kids, spouse, coworkers, etc.) finally does what you’ve been asking them to do for the past … minutes, hours, days, weeks!?
Jonah 3:3-4
3 This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. 4 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”
What an inspiring message! No mention of what may have caused this announcement. No mention of who is responsible for it. No mention of what might be done to prevent it from happening. Jonah doesn’t demonstrate one shred of compassion—just an attitude, like, “OK, I’ve done it. Now are you happy?”
But God can use even that!
Jonah 3:5
The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.
How did they even know it was from God? How did they know which god it was from? I don’t know, but they did. From the greatest to the least, God’s message traveled throughout that entire city. This is the thing I love about God’s economy. He takes even the slightest, most reluctant effort and blows it up big enough to accomplish his purpose! Even when the recipients are people we don’t like or care if we ever see in heaven.
Jonah 3:6, 7, 9
6 When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. 7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city:
9 “Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.”
Why did the king and the inhabitants of the city of Nineveh trust Jonah’s message? Why did they call out to God in sackcloth and ashes? Only because God in his mercy and sovereignty desired that they be saved.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
This gives me such confidence when I share the gospel with someone! I can’t mess it up! If God in his mercy has called this person to himself, I just have to say what God gives me to say. He is responsible for the outcome! But I, like Jonah, have to show up and be obedient to what God has asked me to do. I have to trust that God has orchestrated the circumstances and set the stage so he can use whatever I show up with! I have to trust that God is going to use me in this turnaround!
Questions:
Have you ever shared your faith with someone? Do you know how? Do you have someone you could practice on?
Next Steps:
If you wrote out your “belly in the beast” story from last week, practice it on your friends. Check out “What is the Romans Road to Salvation” from gotquestions.org. Write out the referenced scriptures. Memorize them and/or flag them in your Bible. Start praying that God gives you an opportunity to share your story and your faith!
21 Days of Prayer
Day 15 Focus – To reflect God’s heart (Luke 15:7)
God, your heart and love for us is made evident through your actions. You love us so much that you didn’t let us go when we went astray. Instead, you pursued us. You sent your Son, Jesus, to rescue us. Today, we ask that you grow our love for others and grow our passion for pursuing those who are lost. Open our eyes to the opportunities we have to share with the people you have placed in our lives. Amen.
Today’s Parent Prayer