Second Chances
This week in our Jonah Bible study we learned how God gives us second chances. (by Priscilla Shirer)
The past week of daily studies we took a close look at what must have been going on in the heads of the men on the boat with Jonah. I still haven't gotten over the idea that God used Jonah's disobedience to bring the men on the boat to a knowledge and understanding of who He is. It is wonderful how His objective is always the same and I'm so thankful that He can use our circumstances even when we aren't willing to be used ourselves. Other than using the circumstances to change the men on the boat, He also uses them to change Jonah's heart too. After all, these guys were Gentiles and now Jonah is willing to be thrown overboard to save them. Somehow Jonah became sensitive toward people, the same Jonah that said no to God about going to Nineveh to help the people there.
In the video this week, we learn about second chances. And considering that the big fish vomits Jonah back up on the land near Joppa is something I never really thought of before. He could have taken him closer to Nineveh …. But, instead, Jonah ends up right back where he started. God's command is given to him a second time and is the same, but we get to compare the two times God tells Jonah exactly what to do. Verses 1:2 and 3:2. When you read these two verses you'll see the difference. The second time around God builds on the faith that Jonah gained in his experience in the belly of the fish.
I'm so glad that the times God has told me to do something and I've ignored Him that He doesn't take "no" for an answer. He just begins to work on me through my stubbornness and experiences to get me ready to say "yes".
He is a God of second chances! (And even 3rd, 4th, and 5th, or as many as we require!)
If you missed today or any other week of our study, I challenge you to jump in next Tuesday at 3:30 with us at CCA. It is amazing to study God's word together and see all that He does to speak to us individually and as a group! Consider this a second chance to come and get involved with us. – We'd love to have you there.
