Change is difficult for anyone. Have you ever tired to change a bad habit or start a good one and found that it was difficult? Part of the difficulty is we often try to do things on our own without help from anyone, especially the Lord. We try to tough it out. I can do it myself. I have experienced those things in my life and maybe you have, also.
In our story about Jonah, something happens when he begins to proclaim God’s word to the people of Nineveh. The people of Nineveh are some of the most wicked people in the world and are far from God. But the people of Nineveh had one thing going for them. God still loved them and wanted them to turn away from their sin and turn toward Him. God put a plan in place and send the prophet of Jonah to tell them to turn from their sin or they would be destroyed in 40 days.
5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. 6 When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. 7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence.[1]Jonah 3:5-8.
Something began to happen as the people cried out to God. They experienced transformation. They willingly wanted to stop sinning and be different and God gave them the strength to do so.
That same thing can happen you when you cry out to Jesus. Lord, help me be transformed. Lord, help me to be more loving and kinder. Lord, forgive my sins. If you don’t know Jesus, placing your faith in Him is life changing in this life and the next.
When Jesus comes into our heart, we become like a giant spiritual construction project for the better. Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” [2]
Would you like to be transformed? Call on the God of the universe to begin your spiritual remodeling.
Want to learn more about the Journey of Jonah? Click here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-jonah-1/jonah-preaches
If you would like more teaching about this text, consider listening to these podcasts:
[1, 2]Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation(Jonah 3:5–8, Romans 12:2). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.