In the story of Jonah, something happens to the people of Nineveh and they turn from their wickedness. They repent or turn towards God to save them. Something happened to their hearts as God intervened. Later in the New Testament book of Acts, Paul was proclaiming the word of God and something began to happen to Lydia who was listening.
On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.[1]Acts 16:13-14.
This passage of Scripture gives us insight on how the Holy Spirit opens people’s hearts to the good news of Jesus. Paul also writes in 1 Cor. 3:6 -7, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.”[2]
Both of these passages show us that it is the work of the Lord to open people’s hearts. It is also true that as people, we can resist God working in our hearts. It is our free will to free choose the Lord Jesus as our Savior or turn away from Him.
What about you? Is your heart open to the Lord? Is the Lord calling you today to draw closer to Him? Does the Lord want to help you along your spiritual journey? Take the Lord’s hand and let Him lead along the way.
To hear more of the story of Jonah click here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-jonah-1/jonahs-anger
For more teaching on Jonah check these podcasts out:
[1, 2]Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation(Ac 16:13–14 1 Cor. 3:6-7). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.