Proverbs of a 41 yr old man

Jonah 3:6-10

The People of Nineveh Repent

6 The word reached[a] the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. Amen. Imagine repentance like that! Jesus was amazed at the Centurion for his act of faith and belief. How much more the people of Nineveh at their repentance! The King said don't let people or animals taste anything!!!! Even the animals like the people were to fast and be covered in sack clothed. They completely shut down every prideful desire to the point where the animals were to stop grazing and not even produce for them. Can you imagine this kind of repentance today in your home, your city, and your nation? Fasting in the ancient Near East was a common expression of mourning, repentance, and humility before a deity. By proclaiming a fast, the Ninevites demonstrate their earnestness in seeking forgiveness and averting the impending judgment. This act of fasting is a communal response, indicating a collective acknowledgment of sin and a desire for change. In the Bible, fasting is often associated with seeking God's favor, as seen in Joel 2:12-13, where the people are called to return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning. The Ninevites were unsure that God would relent, though Jonah is not in doubt, He knows God is a merciful God. What about you?

Do you doubt God’s forgiveness? Here are some self reflecting questions: Am I sure that, if I repent, God will forgive? Or do I feel that what I’ve done (especially given that I’m a believer) is perhaps a bit too hard to forgive? Do I grasp how wide, long, high, and deep Christ’s love actually is? Verse 10 tells us, of course, that God did relent. If God can forgive oppressive tyrants and cruel kings, then he can forgive you and me. The people of Nineveh demonstrated genuine repentance through fasting and wearing sackcloth (Jonah 3:5-6). This aligns with biblical principles found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God promises to hear from heaven and heal the land if His people humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways. The actions of the Ninevites serve as a model of repentance that is not merely verbal but is demonstrated through tangible actions. What is tangible actions? Can the touch of Holy Spirit stir something in you to where your heart is softened and your life surrendered. We are called by Christ to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Yes, Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Tangible actions by the the grace of God!