A Picture of Repentance

Scripture – Jonah 3:6-10: ⁶When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. ⁷Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. ⁸But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. ⁹Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” ¹⁰When 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.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) This is a picture of repentance. The king of Ninevah led the way. People heard the word of the Lord and they believed that word. They knew they were headed toward destruction. So they stopped and fasted and called urgently on God. They changed their behavior. They began living in good, peaceful, righteous ways. The lesson was taken to heart. God saw what they did, and in His compassion decided to let them live.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) Sometimes it’s like I just wake up and all at once see that what I’ve been doing is wrong. For example, all the night-time snacking I do undermines all my efforts to eat well during the day. I’ll stop doing that. I will be disciplined in what and how much I eat.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, as I write that, I’m aware you have provided so much in my life. It’s never a question of, ‘Will I have something to eat?’ For that I’m thankful. And for abusing that blessing, I’m sorry. Give me a disciplined heart and mind today. Teach me to be satisfied with my daily bread today.