Anatomy of a Repentant Heart By David Wood (Jonah 3:4-10)

Devotional

Day 1: Repentance Begins with a Message from God

Repentance always starts when God initiates, sending a message that awakens our hearts to the reality of our sin and the possibility of mercy. Just as Jonah delivered a message to Nineveh, God often jolts us with truth—sometimes through Scripture, sometimes through circumstances, sometimes through the quiet conviction of the Holy Spirit—calling us to recognize where we have gone astray. This message is not merely information; it is a divine invitation to turn from our destructive paths and receive new life. Like a defibrillator shocking a heart back to life, God’s word can awaken even the most hardened heart, offering a chance to change direction and pursue His purposes. [13:35]

Jonah 3:4
"Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!'" (ESV)

Reflection: When was the last time you sensed God speaking to you—through Scripture, a sermon, or a circumstance—about an area in your life that needs to change? How will you respond to His message today?

Day 2: True Repentance Requires Faith in God

A repentant heart is not just sorry for sin; it is moved to trust in God’s mercy and power to save. The people of Nineveh believed God’s warning and responded in faith, just as Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. True faith is not about the strength or size of our belief, but about the object—God Himself—who gives faith as a gift. Even when doubts linger or our faith feels small, what matters is that we place our trust in the One who is able to save and transform us. [24:16]

Jonah 3:5
"And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them." (ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to trust God fully? What would it look like to take a step of faith in that area today, even if your faith feels small?

Day 3: Repentance Leads to a Change of Ways

Genuine repentance is always accompanied by a visible change in behavior and lifestyle. The Ninevites didn’t just feel bad about their actions; they demonstrated their repentance by fasting, wearing sackcloth, and turning from their violence and sin. True repentance means turning away from what dishonors God—whether it’s anger, unfaithfulness, harmful words, or any other sin—and actively choosing to walk in obedience. This transformation is not just internal but is seen in the choices we make and the way we live each day. [32:15]

Jonah 3:8
"But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands." (ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action or habit God is calling you to turn away from this week? What practical step can you take today to begin that change?

Day 4: Repentance Is Met with God’s Mercy

When we turn to God in true repentance, we encounter His mercy—freely given, never earned, and always at His gracious discretion. The king of Nineveh recognized that mercy was God’s prerogative, and God responded by relenting from disaster and showing compassion. God’s mercy is not automatic, but it is abundant for those who humble themselves and seek Him. No matter how far we have strayed, God delights to show mercy to the truly repentant, turning our lives right side up and giving us a new beginning. [35:32]

Jonah 3:10
"When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it." (ESV)

Reflection: Is there a part of your past or present where you struggle to believe God’s mercy could reach you? How can you open your heart to receive His compassion today?

Day 5: God’s Kindness Leads Us to Repentance

It is God’s kindness—not fear or shame—that draws us to repentance and transformation. His patience and mercy are meant to soften our hearts, inviting us to turn from sin and embrace His love. When we truly see the beauty of God’s character, we are moved not just to regret our actions but to desire real change. Repentance is not a one-time event but a daily posture, continually turning away from sin and toward the God who welcomes us with open arms. [36:39]

Romans 2:4
"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God’s kindness recently? How can you let His kindness move you to deeper repentance and renewed commitment today?

Sermon Summary

Repentance is not just a religious word or a one-time act; it is a profound, ongoing turning of the heart, mind, and life toward God. Like a driver who realizes they are headed in the wrong direction and chooses to make a U-turn, repentance begins with an honest recognition that we are off course. This realization is not something we conjure up on our own—it starts with a message from God. God, in His mercy, interrupts our journey, sometimes with a jolt, to awaken us to the truth of our situation and our need for Him.

Looking at Jonah chapter 3, we see that repentance is not merely about feeling bad for our actions. The Ninevites, a people known for their violence and wickedness, received a message of impending judgment. Yet, the miracle was not just in the warning, but in their response. They believed God. This belief was not a product of their own willpower or cleverness, but a supernatural gift from God. True repentance is always rooted in faith—a faith that God Himself gives. It is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the object of our faith: the living God.

But faith that is real always leads to a change of ways. The Ninevites didn’t just feel remorse; they acted. They fasted, put on sackcloth, and even the king humbled himself, calling the entire city—including the animals—to repentance. This was not a superficial gesture, but a deep, communal turning from violence and sin. Repentance, then, is not just about regret; it is about transformation. It is about allowing God to turn our lives upside down, to change our patterns, our relationships, our words, and our hearts.

Finally, repentance is always met with God’s mercy—at His discretion. The Ninevites did not presume upon God’s kindness, but hoped in it. God, in His sovereign compassion, relented from the disaster He had threatened. This is the heart of the gospel: when we turn to God in true repentance, He meets us with unimaginable mercy, not because we deserve it, but because of who He is. Repentance is not a one-time event, but a daily posture—turning from sin and turning toward the God who alone can make us whole.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance begins with God’s message God initiates repentance by confronting us with truth—sometimes gently, sometimes with a jolt. We cannot repent unless God first speaks to our hearts, revealing both our need and His mercy. This is a gift, not a human achievement, and it is the starting point for any real change. [04:54]
2. True faith is a gift, not self-generated The faith that leads to repentance is not something we muster up; it is a supernatural work of God in our hearts. Like the Ninevites, we are called to believe God, not just believe in Him. This faith is not measured by its size, but by its object—God Himself, who alone can save and transform. [17:20]
3. Repentance leads to tangible change Genuine repentance always results in a change of ways. It is not enough to feel regret or sorrow; true repentance is demonstrated by a transformed life—by turning away from sin and toward God in every area. This transformation is visible, costly, and humbling, but it is the evidence of God’s work in us. [27:33]
4. God’s mercy meets true repentance God’s mercy is not automatic or owed; it is given at His sovereign discretion. When we turn to Him in humility and faith, He delights to show compassion, relenting from judgment and offering new life. This mercy is the hope and anchor for every repentant heart, and it is always more than we could ask or imagine. [34:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Repentance Illustrated: The GPS U-Turn
[02:10] - Four Chambers of a Repentant Heart
[03:35] - Prayer for Repentant Hearts
[04:54] - Repentance Starts with God’s Message
[07:31] - Jonah’s Reluctant Mission to Nineveh
[10:15] - The Weight of God’s Judgment
[12:58] - The Possibility of Restoration
[14:03] - Repentance Requires True Faith
[17:20] - The Miracle of Nineveh’s Faith
[19:38] - Regret vs. True Repentance
[23:56] - The Object of Saving Faith
[27:33] - Repentance Brings a Change of Ways
[33:07] - Repentance Met by God’s Mercy
[36:10] - The Daily Call to Repentance
[37:58] - Invitation to Kneel in Repentance
[39:52] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Repentance That Turns Lives Upside Down

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### Bible Reading

Jonah 3 (ESV)

> 1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,
> 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”
> 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.
> 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
> 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
> 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
> 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,
> 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.
> 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
> 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

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### Observation Questions

What was the message that Jonah delivered to the people of Nineveh, and how did they respond to it? ([07:31])
According to the passage, what actions did the people and the king of Nineveh take to show their repentance? ([27:33])
What was God’s response when He saw how the Ninevites turned from their evil ways? ([34:59])
In the sermon, what is described as the starting point for true repentance? ([04:54])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Ninevites responded so dramatically to Jonah’s short message, even though it was only five words long? What does this say about the power of God’s message? ([08:50])
The sermon says that true faith is a gift from God, not something we create on our own. How does this change the way we think about repentance and belief? ([17:20])
The king of Nineveh did not assume God would automatically forgive them, but he still hoped for mercy. What does this teach us about the attitude we should have when we come to God in repentance? ([33:47])
The sermon draws a distinction between regret and true repentance. Why is it important to understand the difference, and how can we tell which one we are experiencing? ([19:38])

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### Application Questions

The sermon compared repentance to making a U-turn after realizing you’re going the wrong way. Can you think of a time in your life when you realized you were headed in the wrong direction spiritually or morally? What helped you recognize it, and what did you do next? ([00:52])
Repentance starts with a message from God—sometimes gentle, sometimes a jolt. How has God gotten your attention in the past when you needed to change? Was it through Scripture, a person, a circumstance, or something else? ([04:54])
The Ninevites’ faith was described as a supernatural gift from God. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to believe God can bring change? How can you ask God for the faith to trust Him in those areas? ([17:20])
The people of Nineveh didn’t just feel bad—they took visible, costly steps to change. Is there a specific area in your life where you feel convicted to make a tangible change? What would a “visible step” of repentance look like for you this week? ([27:33])
The king of Nineveh humbled himself publicly. Are there ways pride keeps you from repenting or admitting you’re wrong? What would it look like to humble yourself before God or others? ([29:09])
God’s mercy is not something we can demand or earn, but He delights to show compassion. How does knowing this affect the way you approach God when you’ve messed up? ([34:59])
The sermon said repentance is not a one-time event but a daily posture. What are some practical ways you can make repentance a regular part of your walk with God? ([36:39])

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Sermon Clips

Abraham's faith that was a gift from God is all it took for God to say, you now have righteous standing before me. This is before a lot of the law showed up. This is before circumcision showed up. And so we can see these Gentiles have faith in God. And God's about to use that to turn their whole world upside down. I want to tell you just a little bit about the gift of faith. The gift of God's grace. It's Ephesians chapter 1. In the New Testament, this epistle, a letter, tells us that God's grace is a gift. [00:17:48] (41 seconds) #GodsMercyIsReal

It's not about having faith the size of a mountain. No. Some of us, we think, I've got to have this faith that is never shakable. A doubt never comes into my head. I never have this thing that I'm kind of wondering, like, okay, is that true? What God has said to us, true faith or faith that saves is not faith that is the size of a mountain. It's not the strength of our faith that saves us. It's the object of our faith, God Himself. And when He gives us faith, that is the faith we need. [00:24:03] (39 seconds)

So the question I have for you is, do you believe? Are you trusting God and God alone? Or are you deciding to land in disbelief? That place where you say, I hear what God has said. I hear what's been revealed in the book of Jonah. I hear what Jesus has proclaimed about how He is the Son of God. The one true way to experience salvation. But I'm just not sure I'm willing to believe it. The call for us from this passage is to believe God. Believe God. [00:24:42] (38 seconds)

A repentant heart starts with a message from God. It needs God's gift of faith. But once that heart is beating, what starts to happen? What is it that starts to happen when a true heart of repentance is within us? The Bible teaches us that repentance leads to a change of ways. Repentance leads to a change of lifestyle. To put it another way, God inspires repentance in even the most wicked of sinners. What a praise we have in that. Amen. [00:25:42] (42 seconds)

They called for a fast and put on sackcloth. Sackcloth is some garments. I mean, think of a potato sack. Okay? Really rough. It's not like a cashmere. Okay? It's not like that 100% cotton shirt that you love to wear at home because it's so comfortable. This is an uncomfortable thing. And at the moment that sackcloth goes on, every external indicator of status is rejected and set aside by each person, no matter how high of status they had in this metropolitan area, no matter how low they were. [00:28:08] (37 seconds)

He even orders this fast to extend down to, and I never heard of this before, the animals. The animals are put on a diet of fasting to show they recognize their repentance needs to extend everywhere. I don't know what kind of horses or animals they were using to go charge and engage in warfare, but they're recognizing every inch of God's creation there in Nineveh needs to experience repentance. I love what Kevin Youngblood says in his commentary. He says, This is a biting irony, that non-human creation is more responsive to God than his own people. [00:29:19] (45 seconds)

So the question I have for you as we see the repentant pattern, even the king, one getting off of his throne, taking off his vestments, putting on the sackcloth, and sitting down into the dust to demonstrate his repentance of heart. And I've got a question for you. Is there a change of ways that God is calling you to? Is there something in your life that God says that doesn't belong anymore? That doesn't belong in your heart? It doesn't belong in your life, your mind, your hands? None of that. [00:30:15] (41 seconds)

Maybe for you, it has particularly to do with the language. Maybe God's calling you to repent from using language that does not honor God. Maybe it's foul language, cursing, taking God's name in vain, subtly under your breath, even in your mind, even at the heart level, God calls us to honor Him with our lips and to have our hearts not be far from Him. So my encouragement for you, whether it's one of those three areas or another area that God has given you into your heart, convicting you of, I encourage you, turn away from that sin and turn toward the God who can turn your life right side up. [00:31:52] (45 seconds)

Turn towards God and repentance. There's one more thing we need to know about repentance. Repentance, and this is some good news, y'all, repentance is met with God's mercy at His discretion. Repentance is met with God's mercy and it happens at His sovereign discretion. I love the words of that Maverick City music song which say, I'm living proof of what the mercy of God can do. I'm living proof of what the mercy of God can do. That song goes on and it says this, If you knew me then, you'd believe me now. [00:32:37] (52 seconds)

In verse 10, When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it. God's mercy extended to the lives of the once wicked Ninevites. It's amazing. God wasn't surprised by their actions. Of course, He knows everything that will happen. But God is free to do as He wills. He is a responsive God. And He chose to express His compassionate character, His chesed, when faced with genuine human turning. [00:35:04] (46 seconds)

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