The story of Jonah

The city of Nineveh was where Mosul in Northern Iraq is today, and it was huge city with a large population, but it was a wicked place that was about to incur the judgments of God.

Jonah was a prophet who was called to give warning to the king and the people there that judgment would fall in forty days time and destroy everything and every one in it unless they changed their mind about their ways, and repented.

Jonah ran away from his commission because he knew that God was merciful and if the people truly repented he would withdraw his judgments; then he would look silly.

We all know the story of Jonah and the huge fish, and how Jonah himself repented for being disobedient and was given a second chance to do what God said.

So he went and walked up and down in the city, and gave fair warning to the population and the king and his household.

The king and the people believed what he said and changed his clothes, wearing rough sackcloth instead. He called all his people to do the same and stop what they were doing and put things right. He ordered everyone to go on a fast and pray to God for mercy. As a result, God saw this and withdrew his hand of judgment.

It was almost too late for Nineveh, but they listened to what God was saying.

It seems almost too late for this world and actually looks too late for this country; but if we would turn to him and put our faith and trust in him, asking him for mercy and grace, he will forgive our sin, and heal our land.

Do you care enough about this nation, to pray?

Do you care enough about your family, to pray?

Do you care enough about where you will spend eternity, to pray?