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by Sandy Shaw
Have been recalled, following a quite disastrous beginning, Jonah sets out for far away Nineveh, and his word to the people from Almighty God is simple – God is giving you six weeks to repent – get right with Him – sort out your lives.
We see here something of the marks of the divine message.
It reflects the character of God.
The message is simple – clear – definite – lucid – unambiguous.
On this occasion people are drawn to the message.
It is authoritative. The man of God must speak with authority.
It allows no alternatives – no options – there is no other name by which we must be saved! Is that not a message which needs to be emphasised in these present days?
The people of Nineveh believed God. The Word of God has power behind it. They knew it was God who was speaking.
There is repentance – a change of mind – and a change of actions. The people see themselves as they really are.
Our Holy God looks for a response to His Holy Word. God looks for words and works.
They were living in luxury so they fasted. They took off their fine clothes and put on sackcloth – a traditional sign of sorrow for sin and repentance.
They are thinking again. There is this change of mind, but if it is a full biblical repentance the change of mind must lead to a change of action.
God started with the people, and it worked up to the king.
Here is a spiritual awakening that touches the leaders of the nation.
Verse 6 – The king realises he is guilty before God, and he steps from his throne, lays aside his glory, and calls for a season of prayer and fasting.
Might it be appropriate to ask – if we were doing our work properly should not Members of Parliament and Councillors and many others in positions of responsibility, be coming to ask our advice.
Prayer and fasting – action – a ministry to the Lord God Almighty – encouraged by Jesus Christ, in the same way as giving.
Prayer and fasting and giving were taught by Jesus as being quite basic and fundamental.
We cannot make people ‘good’, through changing the laws – only Jesus Christ can perform that miracle.
God was with Jonah.
God was with Moses, and gave Moses signs to indicate the reality of his calling. God saw what was happening in Egypt, and God was with the elders at that time.
The risen and living Jesus was with these early disciples and He worked with them, and through them, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus became obedient unto death, and this same Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, is the Son of God who calls people today, to go and serve and preach and teach and testify and witness.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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