Topic: Not For Jews Only [Wednesday May 30, 2018]
Text: Jonah 3:1-10 (KJV)
Key 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).
MESSAGE:
Among the enduring lessons God reveals in Prophet Jonah’s dramatic missionary work to Nineveh is the eternally soothing message that God loves all humanity and He is always ready to receive the truly penitent sinner. True, He did set apart the children of Israel whom He loved and made a point of contact to the rest of the world. But in sending Jonah to warn the heathen and wicked people of Nineveh of impending judgment, He proved that the message of love and forgiveness is for all and not for the Jews only.
Assyria was always a threat to Israel and Jonah was glad God would now judge the country. His position was however contrary to the stand of God, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
God overruled Jonah and compelled the runaway and disobedient prophet to head for Nineveh. Even at Nineveh, Jonah gave a one-sided view of God, talking of judgment without mercy. It was not a complete picture of the benevolent Almighty. Yes, He would judge the sinner; but He allows room for repentance. So, God used Jonah’s halfway message to turn the hearts of the Ninevites to repent and receive pardon.
Preachers must not introduce personal prejudices into God’s sublime teachings of love and mercy for the wicked who repents genuinely. Jonah himself was a beneficiary of God’s mercy. If God had left him in his rebellion, he would have met with irrecoverable calamity. Believers should not expect God to leave the ignorant sinners on their own to await divine judgment. Christ died for all. He is ready to receive as many as accept His salvation plan when they hear the gospel from us. We must not carry out the Great Commission with bias or prejudice.
Thought For The Day: Never say no to God when He sends you to the sinner.
Bible Reading in One Year: Psalm 119
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
 Key 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).){kind=link}