“Hey Shawn, called his father. “Would you please take this food to the Brinkley’s? Mrs. Brinkley is not well.” Startled, Shawn shook his head in disbelief. “What?! Why, dad? They’re mean to us and everyone else in the neighborhood!”
Furrowing his brow Shawn’s father gazed into his eyes, “I know son, but our act of kindness might just turn their hearts to Jesus.” Shawn threw up his hands, “Dad, you’re asking too much.” Placing a hand on Shawn’s shoulder, he spoke gently, “No, Shawn, I’m not. You see this is not just for their hearts, it’s for yours too.”
HEARTS
When reading about the characters above, what was revealed about the hearts of Shawn, his father and the Brinkleys? Did you know that their hearts are similar to the hearts of God, Jonah and the Ninevites in Jonah’s story in the Bible? Although we touched on Jonah’s story in last week’s blog, this week we will see it from God’s heart.
Think about the Brinkley’s mean actions. What about the Ninevites who pillaged and captured Israel’s territory? Didn’t the Brinkley’s and the Ninevites actions reflect evil in their hearts?
Like Shawn’s father asked him to help the Brinkley’s, God asked Jonah to help the Ninevites repent. I imagine that Jonah reacted in same disbelief as Shawn, “What?! Why, dad?” Neither Shawn nor Jonah wanted to help. Even though their responses were understandable, they also revealed the hatred in their hearts.
Shawn’s father’s desire to help the Brinkley’s and draw them to Jesus revealed his heart of love. Doesn’t that sound like God? His desire for the Ninevites to repent shows His love for all people, including us; no matter what is in our hearts.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
Instead, he is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
God’s heart of love is reflected in His character.
GOD’S CHARACTER
COMPASSIONATE!
Jonah’s hatred of the Ninevites prompted him to flee from God on a boat. What would Jonah gain from fleeing? Anxiety and Guilt! Anxiety awaiting the punishment he assumed God would send and guilt from disobeying God.
Our loving God did not want that for Jonah nor for us. God did not get angry. Rather, God in His infinite understanding and compassion pursued Jonah. And He will pursue us. (Jonah 1:1-3)
For thus says the Lord God:
“Indeed, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.”
Ezekiel 34:11
POWERFUL & MERCIFUL!
God’s power caused the storm rocking the ship. Once the frightened crew discovered it was Jonah’s fault, they threw him overboard praying to be saved.
Did the storm continue or was the crew destroyed? No, by His power God quieted the storm. By His mercy, He saved the crew. Just as the Ninevites, Jonah’s and the crew’s hearts were important, so are ours. (Jonah 1:4-16)
But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of His great love with which He loved us,
Ephesians 2:4
PROTECTIVE & PATIENT!
Did Jonah drown when he fell into the sea? No, God protected Him by directing a great fish to swallow Jonah. (Jonah 1:17)
For 3 days Jonah was engulfed in darkness inside the acrid fish’s belly. Covered in seaweed and shivering in cold sea water undigested debris bumped across his limbs. Why would God allow Jonah to experience such physical discomfort? God was patiently waiting for Jonah to repent. (Jonah 2:1-9)
The eternal state of our hearts
is more important than temporary physical discomfort.
God never left Jonah in his adversity and He never leaves us. He protects us and uses it all for our good whether it is by avoiding adversity or taking us through it, Romans 8:28.
For He Himself has said,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you,”
Hebrew 13:5b
FORGIVING WITH 2ND CHANCES!
After Jonah repented for disobeying God, God forgave him and the fish deposited him on dry land. Now, God gave both Jonah and Ninevah a 2nd chance. God instructed Jonah once again to go to the Ninevites who repented. (Jonah 2:10, 3:1-10)
God gives us 2nd chances, too. When we repent, He responds with forgiveness no matter what we have done.
If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,
1 John 1:9
FAITHFUL!
God’s faithfulness to us doesn’t depend upon our faithfulness to God.
Jonah had faith that God would be faithful to His loving character. However, Jonah was unfaithful to God disobediently fleeing so that the Ninevites would not receive God’s goodness.
Even after obeying, Jonah’s hatred was stronger than his faith preventing God from molding his character. As Jonah whined that his enemies were being saved, did God get angry? No, true to God’s character, He used the opportunity to illustrate the value of life to Jonah. (Jonah 4:1-10)
BECAUSE OF GOD’S LOVING CHARACTER,
HE GIVES US 2ND CHANCES.
When we respond with repentance, God responds with His mercy always drawing us towards His loving arms.
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness,”
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
REFLECTION
Do you have faith in God’s loving character?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Jeremiah 31:3 and say it aloud, open my eyes to see Your loving character. By faith help me to submit my heart wholly to Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH BELIEVE IN GOD’S LOVE
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo boy, Xavi Cabrera
Photo Jesus, kar3nt
Photo lion, polyfish
Photo hands, public domain
