Jonah 3:6-10
When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
What a beautiful picture of true repentance and how our God responded to it. When we truly repent, we change more than just our actions, but we change our heart posture toward Him also. These people not only responded with an urgency to humble themselves before the Lord, but they also turned from their sins to Him. They didn’t make excuses or put it off, but it says that when the king found out, he did something about it, and we should too.
When confronted with our sin, we can be defensive, aggressive, in denial, or even try to blame-shift, but as redeemed children of God, disciples of Jesus Christ filled with the Holy Spirit, we are called to more. More contriteness for our sins, more brokenness over our sins, and more humility in repentance for our sins! I’m not saying this is easy, but if this pagan king can do it, then we can too!
It’s also interesting to me that in this story, repentance starts at the top and flows down. That tells me that all of us who are leaders, whether it be in churches, ministries, workplaces, or families, have to set the standard and walk it out ourselves. We are called to lead by following Christ, and one of the first words of His public ministry was the word “repent.” I believe God’s heart toward us is redemption, not condemnation, but if we want Him to relent, then we need to repent!
Matthew 4:17 - From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Colossians 1:13,14 - For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
God bless! I love you all! Glory, Honor, and Praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit who will illuminate the darkness in our lives!
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