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Yahweh's word came to Jonah the second time, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.' So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to Yahweh's word. Jonah 3:1 WEB

When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, he immediately went down to Joppa and then took a ship to Tarshish. Now Nineveh (in modern-day Iraq) was about five hundred miles east of his home in Gath-heper (2 kings 14:25). While Tarshish (in south Spain) was twenty-five hundred miles west of his home. Tarshish was about three-thousand miles from Nineveh.

The Lord told Jonah to do something, but Jonah refused and intentionally went the opposite direction, all while fully knowing what God wanted him to do. Jonah spent his time and resources doing the exact opposite of what God wanted. His life then fell apart and became a living hell. When he hit rock bottom, at his lowest point, after he had been eaten by a fish and was sitting alone in the dark, covered in slime and seaweed, Jonah finally surrendered to God and prayed.

Though Jonah thought that he had ruined his life, all that it took to change his circumstances was praying from the belly of the fish. When he did, immediately things began to change in his life, and as he stood on the beach, the exact same word of the Lord came to him a second time. The plan had not changed because of Jonah's behavior, the word for him was 'Go to Nineveh'.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). God doesn't change His mind about you even when you intentionally run away from Him, though He may discipline you to bring you back into place. Jesus knew that Peter would deny knowing Him three times, but He chose him anyway. When you fall, get back up and try again. For a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again (Proverbs 24:16).

There have been times when I thought that God was finished with me, that I had finally crossed the line, and the enemy will always try to get you to believe that. Yet when I finally turned to Him and prayed, I heard the same word come again. His plan for you is still there, even when you knew what you were supposed to do, and you spent all your time and money doing the exact opposite. You are not lost. It is not too late. The Lord still has a purpose for your life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father have mercy on me, a sinner. Draw my heart to You and make me steadfast. Forgive me of my sins and help me to guard my thought life. Help me put on the mind of Christ and transform me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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