And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? (Jnh 4:11)
God ministered tenderly to Jonah just as He did to Nineveh and to Israel, and just as He does to us. He could have destroyed Jonah for his defiant anger, but instead, He gently taught him a lesson. If we will obey God's Word, He will gently lead us. His harsh judgement is reserved for those who persist in rebellion.
We can apply this verse to our individual lives, to our family lives and most assuredly, to our country. "We, the People" have become so lazy in our fight for justice and our refusal to stand up and be counted has left this country headed for certain doom. Armchair politicians (and I'm sorry to say, that is our country's motto - politics IS the American way) sit and solve this country's problems and it's not Democrats nor Republicans. If you look at the history, it never matters who is in the Oval Office or which party is the majority in the House. My suggestion is that you (those who seem to have all the answers) get up off your butt and run for office!
Our country's problems began with the removal of prayer from school. They were increased by the Roe v. Wade decision. There are "legal" atrocities that take place as a result of different "organizations" that compromise our standards, misinterpret our laws to suit their needs and create lawsuits that are of the most absurd caliber! I thank God that He does not discriminate, does not allow for the manipulation of His word, rewards the righteous, punishes the wicked and takes care of the poor!
Nineveh was the most important city in Assyria. It was also a very wicked city. Jonah, who hated the powerful and wicked Assyrians, was called by God to warn the Assyrians that they would receive judgement if they did not repent. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh, so he tried to run from God. But God has a way of teaching us to obey and follow Him. When Jonah preached, the city repented. God withheld His judgement. "Even the most wicked will be saved if they truly repent of their sins and turn to God (Life Application Study Bible)." It's time to stop running and start worshipping!!!
As individuals, we need to trust in God. As a country, we also need to trust in Him. It's still written in stone, on buildings and on our money..."In God We Trust". We need to say "yes" to righteousness and honor Him. We need to allow Him back into our schools, into our laws, back into humanity. Sitting on the sidelines (or in your armchair or at your computer complaining about the government) won't change anything! PRAYER CHANGES THINGS, not commentaries! You cannot run from God anymore than Jonah could, so stop trying! Do not forsake YOUR mission!
