DCLM Higher Everyday 6 March 2024 — A Second Chance
Topic: A Second Chance
Text: Jonah 3:1-10
1And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
4And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Key Verse: “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee” (Jonah 3:2).
Message
Prophet Jonah resisted God’s divine assignment for him in the city of Nineveh. He also attempted to flee from the presence of God but God is everywhere. Sometimes a person seeking to hide his sin leaves one part of the city for another or may even travel abroad. Some change denominations without changing from their sinful ways. In some cases the guilt of their sin drives them into more troubles. You cannot cover your sins from God’s searchlight.
Jonah realized his sin after his failed attempt to flee from God when he found himself in the belly of a fish. Fortunately, it dawned on him to pray in repentance. Dr. Henry Kissinger said, “Opportunities cannot be hoarded, once past, they are usually irretrievable.” Hence, many die in such conditions without a second chance. Peter had a second chance after denying Jesus. Judas Iscariot died and now in hell. It is very bad to resist God. Whatever may have happened along your journey to heaven, there is opportunity today to plead for forgiveness from God. Then share your experience to help others to avoid rebellion.
Quote: It is very bad to resist God
Challenge: Don’t throw away your opportunity to repent of sin.
Prayer for today: Dear God, keep me in the faith all my life, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
