... “[L]et them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

Jonah 3 

... “[L]et them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” Jonah 3:8-9

I continue my study in Jonah to supplement my church's current sermon series in this book, and today I review Jonah 3 again as I prepare to lead Sunday school this morning on this text. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God created humanity in His image, to bear His image and to live in fellowship with Him.  Yet, during the Fall (Genesis 3) sin entered the world and each one has sin - no one can deny it - and we are all in need of a Savior (Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:23). God calls the church to go into the world to preach the Good News of Jesus for people to repent and believe in Him - God's call to Jonah reflected this mission. Key to the Good News is that other than acknowledging your sin, repenting from it, and believing in Him, there is nothing You need to do - God alone saves and then He works in Your heart and life to transform You into more of His image through sanctification.  God displays incredible mercy and these mercies never cease and are new every morning - Lamentations 3:22-23.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Just as with all other believers, there is nothing Jonah did to be worthy of a second chance to be saved - it is God's grace alone that saves.  People often don't see a need for God - hardness of heart, arrogance, etc - or don't know Him enough to love and follow Him no matter what.  In the text today, God reaches the king of Nineveh (v6), and the king then (vv6-9) repented and urged all of Nineveh to repent and call out to God for mercy - this is a true repentant heart.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid claiming you have no sin!  Claim the promise that no matter who are or what you have done, God's grace is available to anyone who confesses sin and surrenders to Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Follow the example of the king of Nineveh who confessed and believed - and was saved.     

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God whose mercies never cease and are new every morning - what incredible grace You offer.  Thank You for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out every day for me.  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.