February 10 - Trust and Obey

"Now 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.'"
- Jonah 3:1-2

For many people, the second opportunities are necessary to accomplish goals and objectives. An example would be Jonah in the Old Testament. God's wonderful mercy and grace represent the theme of the Book of Jonah. Also, nothing expresses God's desire to forgive better than the Book of Jonah.

God issued his first call to Jonah, but Jonah was a stubborn prophet and ran away from the Lord. An ocean storm and a huge fish detour came about because Jonah could not trust God-could not, that is, trust Him to be unrelenting toward Nineveh.

Jonah is given a second opportunity to prophesy because the Lord wants the entire world to hear the message of His grace. Jonah obeyed and went to Nineveh proclaiming that in forty more days the city would be overturned. The Ninevites believed God enough to change from their evil ways. When God saw what they did, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.

Prayer - Dear Lord, may we be ever mindful and thankful for your money and grace. Please help us to appreciate God-given second opportunities. Make us bold to tell others about our Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

- Gaylon Hefner