Topic: True Repentance Touches God
Bible Reading: Jonah 1-4; Revelation 9
Memory Verse: “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Jonah 3:10 (KJV)
Prophet Jonah was sent by God to tell the people of Nineveh that their sins had risen to him and he would punish them but Jonah initially refused to go saying God is too merciful and that if he went, God would show mercy to the people and he would look stupid thereafter. Thus, he tried to run away by joining a ship going somewhere else. He forgot that God is everywhere. Right inside the ship, God located him and brought about a storm that was almost consuming the ship. Finally, the ship crew found out that Jonah was their problem and pushed him off the cliff inside the sea. But God had also prepared a fish to swallow him. And while in the belly of the fish, he repented, just like Nebuchadnezzar, and he was vomitted by the fish on the shores of Nineveh!
Subsequently, he went to pronounce the message of God to the people of Nineveh and they all sought the face of God and repented of their evil ways. Based on this, God repented of His plan to punish them! He is a merciful God. Lamentations 3:22 (KJV) says, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” That’s why He will forgive anyone who is remorseful and ready to chart a new course by obeying God. Thus the Bible says in Jonah 3:10 (KJV), “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Certainly true repentance touches God and causes Him to change His mind. This was the case with Nebuchadnezzar as well. He was made an animal and ate grass like oxen until he repented and God changed him back to human being and further restored his kingship (Daniel 4:28-37).
Are you running away from God for anything or doing somethings that you think are hidden from God? be rest assured; God is fully aware and is either giving you more time to repent or waiting for the right moment to bring you out! So, you have the option to repent quickly and surrender to Him and you can be rest assured; He will openly accept you into His arms! He is ever ready to stop any punishment that anyone is undergoing as soon as he truly repents of his sins.
Action Point:
Examine your life and repent of your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero