“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it…” Jonah Preaches – Part 4

Now we are getting to the climax of Jonah’s story. It is quite fascinating to see the transformation from what Jonah’s response of passivity was from the first call and his zeal to preach at the second call. I am sure a nation would love to listen and hear the message from someone who has just been regurgitated by a fish; they surely must have something to say, won’t you agree? Oh yeah – 🙂

After Jonah’s passivity and travail, he was now ready to go and preach to Nineveh after the second call. Watch what the Bible says, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.” This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying God’s orders to the letter.” Read Jonah 3:1-3 (MSG). Beloved, when God comes calling again, be quick to respond to Gods bidding, and head straight to your destination; allowing the power of the Holy Spirit help you execute His purpose, plan and pursuits. Now the Bible says, we are to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, in and out of season, in other words, how you feel or don’t feel should not stop you from preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, what did God have in mind for Jonah to preach.? The verse tells us; Jonah was to proclaim a word of warning to the people of Jonah for them to turn from their wicked ways, because God had enough of the deception that was going on at Nineveh. Watch this, is your city in a state of paralysis? Has God sent you to deliver a message of warning to your city? Your city is not necessarily the country itself; hear what the Bible says, “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. Read Proverbs 10:15(KJV). In other words, practices were carried out by the people that displeased God. With this in mind, you would agree, there are sharp practices in our nations today, governments (we are the government), and sad to say, in some of our churches (to which I also belong to); which has meant for God to raise up many more willing and obedient Jonah’s to deliver a message to these institutions to repent from  their wicked ways and to depart from evil.

Therefore, whenever God calls you for an assignment, you don’t get to determine when it should be done, your response should be, ‘Here I am Lord, I am available,’ use me. I am reminded of the song, “If You can use anything Lord, You can use me. Take my hands Lord, and my feet…; if You can use anything Lord, You can use me.” He sends you with a specific message in mind, and He equips you accordingly to fulfil the reason for the task in the first place, hence the Bible says, the “Holy Spirit is our helper.” Read John 14:26 (NASB). In other words, God does not send you on an assignment without help. Selah. Never for once ever think the Lord will send you out without the proper equipment. The Bible already said, “My presence will go with you.”

Remember, when God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, the Bible quotes God as saying, “I’ll see to it that this people get a hearty send-off by the Egyptians—when you leave, you won’t leave empty-handed.” Read Exodus 3:22 (MSG). In like manner, God’s ability is activated in you as you arise and go and preach the gospel. God won’t send you empty handed. Recall when Jesus sent the disciples out? Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you were without money, duffle bag, or extra clothing, how did you get along?” “Fine,” they replied.” Read Luke 22:35 (TLB). In other words, Jesus is saying, as you arise and go to preach the gospel wherever you have been sent; you will lack nothing, the provision to do the job would have been made available; and your obedience is a trigger for the supernatural. Jonah’s decision to finally arise and go meant the destiny of a nation was spared hell and God’s wrath. Can you imagine what would have happened if Jonah did not answer the call? You get the picture beloved.?

Watch this, God has already prepared a platform for you, even before you arrive at your designated assignment. So you don’t have to concern yourself with who you’d be delivering your message to, God has done it such that prepared hearts are eagerly waiting to hear your message. Hallelujah, Glory to God. The law of reciprocity is set in motion every time we yield to Gods counsel. Hallelujah, Amen. And as you yield to His counsel, the river of life flowing out of Jesus will flow out from you; and you will boldly declare, “the Lord is good” all the time.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness, loving kindness, favor, grace and mercy. I would sing of your goodness, greatness, awesome power to heal deliver, set free and to make whole in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

We write. You read. Be encouraged.