Yahweh's word came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you." So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to Yahweh's word. Jonah 3:1–3 WEB.

When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, he immediately went down to Joppa and took a ship to Tarshish. Now Nineveh (in modern-day Iraq) was about five hundred miles east of Jonah's home in Gath-heper (2 Kings 14:25). While Tarshish (in south Spain) was twenty-five hundred miles west of his home. Tarshish was about three thousand miles from Nineveh.

The Lord told Jonah to do something, but Jonah refused and intentionally went in the opposite direction while fully knowing what God wanted him to do. Jonah spent his time and resources doing the exact opposite of what God wanted. Then, his life fell apart and became a living hell.

When Jonah hit rock bottom, after being eaten by a fish and sitting alone in the dark covered in slime and seaweed, he finally surrendered to God and prayed. Though Jonah may have thought that he had ruined his life, all it took to change his circumstances was praying from the belly of the fish. When he did, things immediately began to change in his life. As he stood on the beach, the same word of the Lord came to him a second time. God's plan had not changed because of Jonah's behavior. The word for him was still "Go to Nineveh."

The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). God doesn't change His mind about you even when you intentionally run away from Him. However, He may discipline you to bring you back into place. Jesus knew that Peter would deny knowing Him three times, but He chose him anyway. So when you fall, get back up and try again. Though a righteous man may fall seven times, he will rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

There have been times when I thought that God was finished with me. That I had crossed some invisible line, and the enemy will always try to get us to believe that. Yet, when I finally turned to the Lord and prayed, I heard the same word come again. His plan for you is still there, even when you knew what you were supposed to do, and you spent all your time and money doing the exact opposite. You are not lost. It's not too late. The Lord still has a plan for your life. Arise, Jonah, go to Nineveh.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please have mercy on me, a sinner. Draw my heart to You and make me steadfast. Forgive me of my sins, and help me to guard my thought life. Help me put on the mind of Christ and transform me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Today, we will be hosting our Wednesday morning prayer service at the usual time of 10:30am EST! This is a short service, about 15-20 minutes, where we pray together for any needs you would like to share. Hope to see y'all there! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.