Day 188 – Jonah: Introduction

“But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Jonah 4:11 NLT

Sin runs rampant in society – daily headlines and overflowing prisons bear dramatic witness to that fact. With child abuse, pornography, mass killings, terrorism, anarchy, and ruthless dictatorships, the world seems to be filled to overflowing with violence, hatred, and corruption. When reading and hearing about tragedies such as these – and perhaps even experiencing them – we begin to understand the necessity of God’s judgment. We may even find ourselves wishing for vengeance by any means upon the violent perpetrators. Surely, they are beyond redemption! But suppose that in the middle of such thoughts, God told you to take the Good News of salvation to the worst of the offenders. How would you respond?

Jonah was given such a task. Assyria, a great but evil empire, was Israel’s most dreaded enemy. They flaunted their power before God and the world with numerous acts of heartless cruelty. So, when Jonah heard God tell him to go to Assyria and call the people to repentance, he headed in the opposite direction.

As you study the book of Jonah, see the full picture of God’s love and compassion and realise that no one is beyond redemption. The gospel is for all who will repent of their sin and believe in God. Make it part of your prayers to pray for those who seem to be the farthest from the Kingdom and look for opportunities to share God’s message with them.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us the book of Johan as an example that all are worthy of Your mercy and grace, and the Good News is for the whole world. Just like You saved us, Jesus, I believe that Your salvation is for all. Help us to minister Your Good News to a dark and broken world. Amen.