Grace : the spontaneous, unmerited gift of the divine favor in the salvation of sinners.
I’ve been reading through the minor prophets since being home and today I read the book of Jonah. I had never, that I recall, sat down and read through this book intentionally. I knew the children’s story : how Jonah disobeyed God, got swallowed by a big fish, prayed and was spit up onto land 3 days later. That’s all true, but there’s so much more.
After being VOMITED onto dry land, Jonah did go to Nineveh as God initially had asked. But something fascinating happened after his encounter with the Ninevites. You see, they immediately repented of their sin, dressed in sackcloth in reverence to the Lord and fasted as a whole community. The King sent out a decree that no man would eat or drink, that they would call urgently on God and they would give up their evil ways.
And God saw this! He saw them turn from evil and had compassion on them and didn’t bring destruction on them as he had threatened. And the shocking thing is, Jonah was angry. He wanted to see them be sentenced to destruction and he told God that was why he fled — because he ‘knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity’. Jonah said that he would rather die than to live because of this, [in his eyes], ‘injustice’.
After reading this, I sat and thought…and God asked me a couple questions.
How often do I run from His will for me? How often do I choose my own way because it seems to have less risk?
I do this a lot…but He somehow always turns me back, through His grace, and puts me back on the right track, even if it’s messy (thankfully not in the vomit of a big fish!).
How often do I get upset because I feel someone is getting something they definitely don’t deserve?
Umm, A LOT! But news flash, that’s GRACE, folks! I don’t deserve it either and it’s beautiful that God gives it freely to all of us when we choose Jesus and turn from our evil ways. He shows us grace and compassion and he relents from sending calamity! Wow.
The Bible is littered with this type of Gospel truth, even before Jesus was ever incarnate. How much more should we show grace to those around us because of the incredible grace we’ve already been shown?
Update : I’m back in America! I’ve been working little jobs here and there — cat and house sitting, baby sitting, dog sitting — I feel the Lord’s favor on my life and I’m so grateful! I’ve met with a few friends/supporters and dang, I’m thankful for y’all!
Living with my parents is also so sweet as I get to spend time with them, see first-hand how the Lord has worked in their hearts this past year, and serve them in new ways! I’m blessed by their love and generosity and I’m thankful for the undeserved grace I’m being shown through this transition home.
Love y’all <3
