Jonah 3:10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

This story is remarkable in a number of ways. In the first place, it is certainly notable that Jonah’s message was received as it was. It seems almost illogical that so much credence would be given to a solitary foreigner walking into the city. However, nothing is impossible for God, and He used this both to have mercy on the Assyrians and to teach Jonah another major lesson, after the one of his being swallowed by a “great fish.” (Jonah 1:17) The second thing that strikes me is that God accepts and honors repentance. The Assyrians were notorious for their ferocity, which is why Jonah didn’t want to go minister to them in the first place. However, the king’s decree (verses 7-9) indicates that their consciences weren’t totally defiled, and God had obviously prepared them to hear and receive Jonah’s call to repentance. The third thing that strikes me is how impossible it is to prove a negative. When disaster didn’t fall, I’m sure there were plenty of people who didn’t believe their actions had anything to do with things essentially continuing as usual. Cause and effect can seem tenuous at best. I’m reminded of the story of a man who was continually jabbing a pointed stick into the ground. When asked why he was doing it, he said, “It’s to keep the elephants away.” “There are no elephants within a hundred miles of here!” “See, it works.” That is a joke, but the same line of thinking could have been applied in Nineveh. It all calls for faith, because there are many, many limits to what we can see and know with our physical senses.

I have been somewhat ridiculed for my faith at times, most recently in a comment on my blog (which I chose not to “approve”). However, I can say with assurance that I have had moments of being far more sure that God was real than that I was real. The intensity isn’t constant, but the assurance has only grown over the years, and I am deeply grateful. Faith is a gift, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and I must not take it lightly. When God tells me something I am to pay attention and be obedient, however He chooses to speak to me. I’m not sure how I’d respond if a prophet wandered in the way Jonah did, but I would certainly submit his message to the Lord and ask for confirmation! We had a bit of a wakeup call yesterday when our Internet shut down, which also took out our “landline” telephone, since it’s an IP phone. Using my cell phone I eventually got through to submitting a complaint form to our provider, and the connection was back on before we went to bed. However, the experience showed me in stark terms how Internet addicted I am. My repentance needs to be real, that is, expressed in concrete activity. My focus needs to be on my Lord, before and above everything else. I’ve known that in my head for decades, but my flesh sometimes forgets. I’m to use the tools God provides, but only in full submission to Him.

Father, thank You for the story of Jonah. I’ve used him as an illustration of someone who was extremely hard-headed, but I could give him a run for his money! Help me receive Your lessons and act on them, to be the servant You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!