The God of Second Chances: Lessons from Jonah

Devotional

Day 1: Every Evildoer Needs a Call to Repentance

God sees every act of evil in our world, and no wrongdoing escapes His notice. He desires that all people, regardless of the size or nature of their sin, receive a call to repentance so they may turn from their ways and be restored to right relationship with Him. This is not just for the notorious or the obviously wicked, but for each of us who have fallen short. The call to repentance is a gift—an invitation to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness, and to step into the life He intends for us. [04:02]

Jonah 1:1-2 (ESV)
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have ignored God’s call to repentance? What would it look like to honestly bring that before Him today and ask for His forgiveness?

Day 2: God’s People Fail When They Flee God’s Presence

When we run from God—whether by neglecting prayer, withholding generosity, or refusing to serve—we distance ourselves from His presence and miss out on the unique joy and purpose found in obedience. Fleeing God may seem like a way to avoid discomfort or responsibility, but it only leads us further from the life He desires for us. Instead, God invites us to turn back, seek His face, and experience the fullness of His presence, which cannot be found anywhere else. [12:39]

Jonah 1:3 (ESV)
But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to “run” from God’s presence? What is one step you can take today to turn back toward Him instead?

Day 3: Christians Must Obey God’s Commands Despite Difficulty and Danger

Obedience to God is not always easy or safe; sometimes it means stepping into situations that are uncomfortable, risky, or even frightening. Yet God, as a loving Father, calls us to trust Him and obey right away, knowing that His commands are for our good and His glory. Delayed obedience is disobedience, and true faith is shown when we follow God even when we don’t understand or when it costs us something. [26:04]

Acts 17:30-31 (ESV)
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

Reflection: What is one difficult or risky step of obedience God is calling you to take? How can you trust Him and act on it today, even if it feels uncomfortable?

Day 4: Enjoying God’s Presence Is a Privilege, Not a Chore

Spending time with God—through prayer, worship, and reading His Word—is not just another task to check off a list, but a privilege and a joy. We get to be in the presence of the Creator, to experience His love, guidance, and peace. When we prioritize time with God, we find that nothing else compares, and our fears of missing out on other things fade in light of the joy He gives. [31:53]

Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time today to enjoy God’s presence, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude for the privilege it is?

Day 5: God’s Embrace Is Greater Than the Fear of Rejection

When we share God’s message or step out in faith, we may fear rejection or loss, but God’s embrace and approval are far more significant than the acceptance of others. Even if people reject us, we are already accepted and loved by God, and that truth gives us courage to obey Him and share His love boldly. [36:14]

Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Reflection: Is there someone God is prompting you to reach out to or a message He’s calling you to share, but you’re afraid of being rejected? How does knowing you are embraced by God give you courage to take that step today?

Sermon Summary

In the story of Jonah, we encounter a God who relentlessly pursues His people, even when they are running in the opposite direction. Jonah, a prophet called to deliver a message of repentance to the great and wicked city of Nineveh, chooses instead to flee as far as possible from God’s presence. This narrative is not just about Jonah’s disobedience, but about the heart of God—a God of second chances, who desires repentance and restoration for all, even those we might consider beyond hope.

Every person, regardless of their past or present, stands in need of repentance. God’s call to Jonah to go to Nineveh is a reminder that no evil escapes His notice, and His justice is always paired with an invitation to turn back to Him. The city of Nineveh, described as “great” in both size and wickedness, represents the places and people we might be tempted to write off. Yet, God’s compassion extends even there, and He sends His messenger with a call to change.

Jonah’s attempt to escape God’s call is a mirror for our own lives. Whether it’s through neglecting prayer, withholding generosity, or refusing to serve, we all have ways in which we run from God. The downward spiral of Jonah—going down to Joppa, down into the ship, and further away from God’s presence—illustrates the spiritual decline that comes from fleeing God. True fulfillment and joy are found not in running from God, but in seeking Him, serving Him, and obeying His commands, even when it’s difficult or dangerous.

Obedience to God is not always easy. Sometimes, God calls us to tasks that are uncomfortable, risky, or even frightening. Yet, delayed obedience is still disobedience. God, as a loving Father, calls us to trust Him, knowing that His commands are for our good and His glory. The fear of missing out, of not having enough, or of being rejected can keep us from stepping into God’s purposes. But nothing compares to the joy and sufficiency found in God’s presence.

Ultimately, fleeing from God will always take us in the wrong direction. The invitation is to stop running, turn around, and experience the fullness of life that comes from walking closely with Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance is a universal need, not just for the obviously wicked but for every person. God’s call to Nineveh shows that no one is beyond the reach of His mercy, and that His justice is always accompanied by an opportunity to turn back. The call to repentance is not a condemnation, but an invitation to restoration and life. [04:02]
2. Running from God leads to spiritual decline and emptiness. Jonah’s journey “down” is a vivid picture of what happens when we flee God’s presence—our lives lose direction, purpose, and vitality. The further we run, the more we miss out on the unique joy and fulfillment that only come from being close to God. [18:14]
3. Serving God brings a special experience of His presence that cannot be found elsewhere. When we step into the roles and opportunities God gives us—whether in generosity, service, or sharing the gospel—we encounter Him in ways that transform us and those around us. Avoiding these callings is not just disobedience; it is forfeiting a deeper relationship with God. [22:33]
4. Obedience to God often requires courage in the face of difficulty and danger. God does not always explain His commands, but He expects our trust and immediate response. The risks and fears we face are real, but God’s faithfulness and provision are greater, and our obedience honors Him and brings blessing to us and others. [26:04]
5. The fear of missing out or being rejected is overcome by the sufficiency and acceptance found in God. Whether it’s the fear of lacking resources, time, or relational acceptance, God assures us that He is enough. When we prioritize His presence and purposes, we discover that nothing on earth compares to the joy and security of being embraced by Him. [33:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - The Fugitive: Running from God
[01:28] - Introducing Jonah: The God of Second Chances
[03:26] - Three Timeless Lessons from Jonah
[04:02] - Every Evildoer Needs a Call to Repentance
[06:05] - Jonah’s Name and God’s Faithfulness
[07:09] - The Greatness of Nineveh and Its Evil
[09:41] - God’s Justice and the Need for Repentance
[12:26] - God’s People Fail When They Flee
[13:05] - The Baseball Pickle: A Story of Running
[15:16] - Jonah’s Flight: Down to Joppa, Down to the Ship
[18:14] - The Downward Spiral of Disobedience
[19:21] - Modern Ways We Run from God
[21:56] - Experiencing God’s Presence Through Service
[26:04] - Obedience Despite Difficulty and Danger
[31:53] - The Joy of God’s Presence
[33:31] - Fears of Missing Out and God’s Sufficiency
[36:46] - Are You Running from God?

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jonah 1:1-3 (ESV) — > Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 17:30-31 (ESV) — > The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

Psalm 23:1 (ESV) — > The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Observation Questions

What specific command did God give to Jonah, and how did Jonah respond? (Jonah 1:1-3)
According to the sermon, what does the repeated use of the word “down” in Jonah’s journey signify? [18:14]
What does Acts 17:30-31 say about who is called to repent and why?
In the sermon, what are some modern ways people might “run from God”? [19:21]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jonah chose to run in the opposite direction instead of obeying God’s call to go to Nineveh? What fears or motivations might have been at play? [29:05]
The sermon says, “God’s people fail when they flee God’s presence.” What does it mean to “flee God’s presence” in practical terms? [12:39]
How does the story of Jonah challenge the idea that some people or places are “beyond hope” or outside of God’s mercy? [05:26]
The sermon mentions that “delayed obedience is disobedience.” Why is immediate obedience important in our relationship with God? [26:51]

Application Questions

The sermon described Jonah’s “downward spiral” as he ran from God. Is there an area in your life where you feel you are moving “downward” or away from God’s presence? What would it look like to turn around? [18:14]
Are there any responsibilities, relationships, or areas of your life where you sense God calling you to obey, but you have been resisting or delaying? What is holding you back? [26:51]
The sermon gave examples like neglecting prayer, withholding generosity, or refusing to serve as ways we might run from God. Which of these (or others) do you relate to most, and what is one step you could take this week to move toward God instead? [19:21]
Jonah was called to bring a message of repentance to people he may have disliked or feared. Is there someone in your life you find it hard to love, forgive, or reach out to? How might God be inviting you to extend His compassion to them? [29:05]
The fear of missing out, not having enough, or being rejected can keep us from obeying God. Which of these fears do you struggle with most? How does Psalm 23:1 (“I shall not want”) speak to that fear? [33:31]
The sermon said, “Serving God brings a special experience of His presence.” Can you share a time when you felt especially close to God while serving or obeying Him? If not, what is one way you could step into service this month? [22:33]
The big idea was that “fleeing God’s presence will take you in the wrong direction.” What is one practical change you want to make this week to move toward God’s presence instead of away from it? [36:46]

Sermon Clips

Jesus Christ, the conquering King, He will return. He came once to earth as a suffering servant. And the next time He comes will be as a conquering King. And He will carry out His justice when He judges the world. And I'm so thankful that we as followers of Jesus are able to be forgiven and in righteousness, right standing with God, so that we will be on the side of God's judgment in that day where we will experience eternity in His glorious presence. [00:10:56] (35 seconds) #KingdomForgiveness

God's people fail when they flee God's presence. God's people fail. This is according to God's standard. Not according to the standard of worldly success. That's not the type of failure I'm talking about. God's people fail when they flee God's presence. God's people fail when they flee God's presence. [00:12:36] (20 seconds) #FailureIsFleeingGod

There are things we should flee. The Bible tells us, flee immorality. Get out of there. The Bible tells us, flee idolatry. Get away. The Bible tells us to flee the love of money. That's not for us, followers of Jesus. But God is the one. We should not run away from. We should turn to and seek His face. [00:14:49] (25 seconds) #FleeSinSeekGod

Some of us imagine God like those other Little League players, right? With the baseball and they're chasing us around trying to get us out and send us back to the dugout where we'll just have to sit around recognizing that what we've been trying to accomplish, we can't do anymore. Some of us picture God trying to get us out, but we've got to stop understanding that. That's not the scriptural model. The Bible talks about God as our Father. Imagine your dad steps up as the coach of that Little League team. And he's there chasing you, not because he wants to get you out or put you on the sidelines, but because he wants to love you. He wants to embrace you. He wants to teach you. He wants to set you up for his measure of success within his call and design for your life. [00:23:42] (48 seconds) #GodLovesToCoach

Now in the area of God's presence, we each must, for our own health and to honor God, we must spend time with God. Now this shouldn't be something where we say, oh man, okay, it's time for me to do my devotions again. Just got to do it and get it over with. Anybody ever been there? All right, let's be honest. Sometimes we've been there, okay? Got to do it. All right. Maybe you got an accountability partner. Oh, they're going to ask me if I read my reading. Okay. I know we got some people doing some readings together. That's a beautiful thing. And while it's true that we must do it, I think it's more essential to understand that as followers of Jesus, we get to do it. We get to be in God's presence. We get to experience the truth of his love and his embrace and his gospel. We get to experience that overcoming us as we enjoy his presence. [00:31:08] (62 seconds) #GodProvidesEnough

We fear missing out, but my friends, if you go and spend time with God, there is nothing on earth that will compare with the joy of being in God's presence. Amen? There's nothing that will compare. So will you miss out? The answer is no. [00:33:30] (19 seconds) #EmbracedNotRejected

When we encounter that question, will I have enough, you need to know the answer is yes. The answer is yes. What do we read so near and dear to our heart in Psalm 23? The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not. God will always provide. So the question, will I have enough? The answer is yes. [00:34:25] (30 seconds) #RunTowardGodNotAway

``If you bring the message of the gospel, the hope that's only available through Jesus Christ, and you bring it to someone and they may reject you because they've rejected God. I've got to tell you, don't be worried about being rejected by man if you've already been embraced by God. [00:36:01] (24 seconds)

Each one of us are called to enjoy God's presence by being with Him, by serving in the ministry and the giving that He's called us to, and to open our mouths with the message, that God sends us with. Our big idea for today is this, fleeing God's presence will take you in the wrong direction. If you flee God's presence, you will always be taken in the wrong way, the wrong direction, and so the question that I have for you is this, are you running from God's presence? Are you running from God? [00:36:24] (44 seconds)

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