Daily Devotional ~ Grace Got You

Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "Grace Got You" by MercyMe.

Daily Verse: On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” 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.
☆ Jonah 3:4‭-‬5 NLT

Let's Talk About It: What's interesting about Jonah isn't the fact that he isn't considered a standard prophet. It isn't that he ran away from God. It isn't the fact that the book doesn't contain oracles but rather historical narrative in the form of a story.

The interesting thing about the Book of Jonah is the fact that the people of Nineveh (Assyrians) listened and repented immediately. If we look at the prophetic Books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel, we see the complete rebellion of Israel and Judah.

There was absolutely no repentence. They just continued doing whatever they wanted. They did not serve God. But the people of Nineveh, heard the Word of God, the warning from Jonah, and immediately put on sackcloth and fasted.

What I find interesting here is that long before God made relationship available to all, He was providing an example of a time in which His Spirit would dwell in all believers, anyone willing to accept His Son as Lord.

While many focus on Jonah's seemingly cowardice, or rebellion, I want to encourage you to focus on God's grace. It's His love and mercy that we should be in awe of, today, and everyday.

Additional Reading: And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
☆ James 4:6 NLT

Prayer: Father, thank you for grace today. Lord, you are The Almighty, The Great I AM. There is no one like you Abba, and I stand in awe of you. Thank you for giving each and every person the opportunity to know you. Thank you for saving me. Lord, I ask that you would soften the hardened hearts of those lost today. Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life so that each and every person can come to know You and The Father. Today, Lord, I pray that I would see as you see and do as you dox allowing your life to be my example. Thank you Lord, for caring for those who are sick. Thank you for comforting those who are struggling. I love you, Jesus, and in your name I pray, amen.