Vintage Gwen Chapel-Just Like Jonah

Today's She Shares Truth prompt is Jonah 3 & 4.  And in these 2 small chapters is a lot of emotional ups and downs for Jonah. My favorite words Jonah speaks are the very reason we know of Jonah at all.....

....he knew this of the Lord and that's why he ran away! (And more than likely if Jonah hadn't of run away then we probably wouldn't have the book of Jonah.)  So he finally sets off to obey. But Ninevah is a big city...apparently so big that from one end to the other would take you 3 days journey! Jonah traveled one day in and then started to declare the word of the Lord. And I imagine that, that one day of travel was the reminder of why he ran away, just think of all the bad he saw and convinced himself that "Yep, this place is terrible and needs to perish!"

Now I have never wished harm against anyone.  As a matter of fact when I hear of people talking about what should happen to a criminal my mind usually thinks 'but they deserve a chance at salvation'. Didn't we read in one of the SRT readings that no one is too far gone for God? No one includes criminals. 

Now what I have done is this...

"Oh why is she so perfect? Why does she have to be pretty, and skinny, and talented?"

I'm thinking this is the same as wishing harm against someone. The same thinking as Jonah about Ninevah.

Ouch!

The bottom line is that Ninevah was given a chance at salvation. Took it. And was saved and better yet experienced forgiveness and not just any forgiveness....the God kind. 

Jonah was given a chance at salvation, took it and was saved and experienced forgiveness.

So why would God do that for Jonah and not Ninevah? Why would God do that for me and not Miss Perfect? I'm thankful He wouldn't! If He did, then that would mean that there'd be something I'd have to get right to be forgiven.  And there's not, there is not one thing anyone can do to deserve forgiveness.
Ephesians 2:8 NLT

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. 

And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God."

What we do have to do is believe. Believe God saves just like Jonah did,  believe Jonah 4:2...

"you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster." 

Be blessed!