God’s Grace and Second Chances: Lessons from Jonah

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Grace Gives Second Chances We Don’t Deserve

God’s intervention in Jonah’s life was not something Jonah earned or merited; it was a pure gift of grace. Even after Jonah’s disobedience and running from God, the Lord orchestrated events—sending the storm, the fish, and finally commanding the fish to release Jonah—to give him another opportunity to obey. This second chance was not a result of Jonah’s own efforts or repentance alone, but a demonstration of God’s sovereign mercy. In our own lives, when we receive a second chance—whether in relationships, work, or our walk with God—it is not because we have earned it, but because God is gracious and delights in showing mercy, even when it comes in unexpected or messy ways. [07:28]

Jonah 3:1-3 (ESV)
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 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.

Reflection: Where in your life have you received a second chance you didn’t deserve, and how can you thank God for His grace in that area today?

Day 2: God’s Mercy Is Often Messy, Not Neat

God’s mercy toward Jonah was not a clean or comfortable process—it involved storms, being thrown overboard, and being vomited onto dry land. Sometimes, God’s grace in our lives comes through difficult, even unpleasant circumstances that we would never choose for ourselves. Yet, even in the mess, God is at work, delivering us and shaping us for His purposes. The messiness of God’s mercy reminds us that His ways are higher than ours, and that His grace can reach us in the darkest, most uncomfortable places. [09:10]

Jonah 2:10 (ESV)
And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Reflection: Can you recall a time when God’s mercy showed up in your life through a difficult or messy situation? How did you see His grace at work in that moment?

Day 3: Obedience Means Hearing, Heeding, and Honoring God’s Word

Jonah’s story highlights the difference between merely hearing God’s commands and truly obeying them. The first time, Jonah heard but ran the other way; the second time, he arose and went as God instructed. True obedience is not just about listening, but about submitting to God’s word and following through as He has asked—not cutting corners or doing things our own way. God calls us to wholehearted obedience, not partial compliance, and He desires that we honor His instructions fully, trusting that His ways are best. [22:52]

James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: Is there an area where you’ve been hearing God’s word but not fully obeying it? What would it look like to honor God with complete obedience today?

Day 4: God’s Grace Is Not a License to Sin, But a Motivation to Live for Him

While God’s grace is abundant and covers our failures, it is not meant to be an excuse for continued disobedience. Instead, the gift of a second chance should move us to deeper commitment and surrender. Because of God’s mercy, we are called to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, living not for ourselves but for Christ who lives in us. Grace raises the bar for our obedience, calling us to give our all in response to the love and mercy we have received. [28:01]

Romans 6:1-2, 13 (ESV)
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ... Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Reflection: In what specific way can you respond to God’s grace today by offering yourself more fully to Him, rather than settling for “good enough”?

Day 5: God’s Mercy Is Sufficient for Every Insecurity, Fear, and Resentment

As Jonah approached the vast and wicked city of Nineveh, he faced feelings of inadequacy, intimidation, and even indignation. Yet, God’s mercy was sufficient for every barrier in Jonah’s heart. In the same way, when God calls us to difficult tasks or to love those we find hard to love, His grace is enough to overcome our weaknesses, fears, and even our reluctance. God often teaches us through experience, stretching us beyond our comfort zones so we can learn to trust in the sufficiency of His mercy for ourselves and for others. [36:01]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Reflection: What is one area where you feel inadequate, afraid, or resistant to God’s call? How can you trust His mercy to be sufficient for you in that place today?

Sermon Summary

We all long for a second chance—a mulligan, as golfers call it. Whether it’s a regretted word, a failed relationship, or a missed opportunity, there are moments in life when we wish we could start over. Jonah’s story is a vivid reminder that God, in His sovereignty, sometimes grants us those second chances, but not always in the way we expect. Jonah’s “mulligan” wasn’t a simple do-over; it was a messy, humbling, and grace-filled intervention by God. The storm, the fish, and even the act of being vomited onto dry land—all of it was orchestrated by God’s relentless mercy, not Jonah’s merit or repentance.

God’s mercy is not always neat or comfortable. Sometimes, His grace comes wrapped in storms and discomfort, confronting us with the consequences of our choices. Yet, even in the mess, God’s mercy is unmistakable. Jonah’s deliverance from the fish was not something he earned; it was a gift, a testament to God’s character rather than Jonah’s. This challenges us to recognize that every second chance we receive—whether in relationships, opportunities, or even our salvation—is a gift of grace, not a right or a reward for good behavior.

But grace is never an excuse for half-hearted obedience. When God gives us another opportunity, He expects us to respond with full-hearted obedience. Jonah’s story draws a sharp contrast between hearing God’s word and truly heeding it. In chapter one, Jonah heard but ran. In chapter three, he heard and obeyed. True obedience means not just doing what God says, but doing it how He says it—without shortcuts, excuses, or personal spin. God doesn’t call us to “good enough” obedience; He calls us to wholehearted submission.

As Jonah approached Nineveh, he was confronted by the enormity of God’s mission—the size and sin of the city, his own inadequacy, and perhaps even his reluctance. God often teaches us the deepest lessons not in the classroom, but in the crucible of experience. The sufficiency of God’s mercy is learned as we step into daunting, uncomfortable, or even undesired assignments. In those moments, our insecurities, fears, and even resentments are exposed, and God invites us to trust that His mercy is enough for us and for those to whom He sends us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s mercy is often messy, not neat God’s grace doesn’t always spare us from discomfort or consequences. Sometimes, His mercy comes through storms, failures, and even humiliating circumstances. These moments remind us that grace is not about our worthiness, but about God’s relentless pursuit and love. We must learn to recognize and receive God’s mercy, even when it arrives in unexpected or uncomfortable ways. [09:10]
2. Second chances are gifts, not guarantees Jonah’s second chance was a unique act of God’s grace, not a universal promise. Scripture shows that sometimes, consequences remain even after repentance. We should never presume upon God’s mercy, but receive every new opportunity as an undeserved gift, responding with humility and gratitude. [15:47]
3. True obedience means hearing and heeding It’s not enough to simply hear God’s word; we must heed it—submitting to His instructions fully and faithfully. Partial or “good enough” obedience falls short of God’s call. Obedience is measured not just by action, but by alignment with God’s heart and command, without shortcuts or self-justification. [22:52]
4. God’s mercy is sufficient for our inadequacy and reluctance When God calls us to daunting tasks, our insecurities, fears, and even resentments are exposed. Yet, God’s mercy is sufficient for every barrier—whether it’s our sense of inadequacy, intimidation, or indignation. As we step forward in obedience, we learn to trust that God’s grace is enough for us and for those He calls us to serve. [36:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - The Mulligan: Golf and Life
[01:41] - Wishing for Life’s Do-Overs
[02:38] - Jonah’s Story Recap
[03:53] - Reading Jonah 2:10–3:3
[04:27] - Prayer and God’s Faithfulness
[05:42] - Repentance and God’s Initiative
[06:59] - God’s Grace, Not Jonah’s Merit
[08:00] - The Messiness of Mercy
[09:10] - Delivered, But Not Deserved
[12:21] - Are Second Chances Guaranteed?
[13:37] - Biblical Examples of Consequences
[16:16] - The Call to Obedience
[19:25] - Hearing vs. Heeding God’s Word
[22:52] - Honoring God with Full Obedience
[26:52] - Grace as Motivation, Not License
[29:18] - Lessons Beyond the Second Chance
[30:53] - The Scope and Sin of Nineveh
[36:01] - Learning Mercy Through Experience
[40:37] - God’s Bigness and Our Response
[41:26] - Closing and Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jonah 2:10–3:3 (ESV) — 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
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.

Observation Questions

What actions did God take in Jonah’s story to give him a second chance? (see Jonah 2:10–3:1; [06:59])
How does the text describe Nineveh, and why might that detail be important? (Jonah 3:3; [30:53])
What is the difference between Jonah’s response to God’s command in chapter 1 and his response in chapter 3? ([19:48])
According to the sermon, what are some ways God’s mercy was “messy” in Jonah’s experience? ([09:10])

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon emphasize that Jonah’s second chance was a gift of grace and not something he earned? How does this challenge our usual ideas about “deserving” a second chance? ([07:28])
The sermon mentions that not everyone in the Bible receives a second chance like Jonah. What does this teach us about presuming on God’s mercy? ([13:12])
What does it mean to “heed” God’s word, not just hear it? How does this relate to the difference between partial and wholehearted obedience? ([19:25])
Why might God call us to tasks that feel overwhelming or uncomfortable, as He did with Jonah and Nineveh? What lessons are learned in those moments? ([36:01])

Application Questions

Think of a time when you wished for a “mulligan” or a do-over in your life. Did you receive a second chance? If so, how did you respond? If not, how did you process that? ([02:17])
The sermon says God’s mercy is often “messy” and not always comfortable. Can you recall a situation where God’s grace showed up in a way that was uncomfortable or humbling for you? How did you recognize it as mercy? ([09:10])
Are there areas in your life right now where you are tempted to offer God “good enough” obedience instead of full-hearted submission? What would it look like to obey God without shortcuts or excuses? ([25:52])
The sermon points out that second chances are gifts, not guarantees. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility for the opportunities God gives you, rather than taking them for granted? ([15:47])
Jonah was confronted by his own inadequacy and reluctance as he approached Nineveh. Is there something God is calling you to do that feels too big, intimidating, or uncomfortable? What fears or insecurities come up, and how might you trust God’s mercy to be enough? ([36:51])
The sermon mentions that sometimes our reluctance to obey comes from resentment or not wanting others to experience God’s grace. Is there anyone in your life you struggle to extend grace to? How might God be inviting you to trust His mercy for them as well as for yourself? ([38:48])
When you think about God’s call on your life—whether in your family, work, church, or community—what is one specific step of obedience you sense God is asking you to take this week? What might keep you from taking it, and how can the group support you? ([40:52])

Sermon Clips

And it's important that we take a moment and recognize that sometimes when we think of God's mercy and we think of God's grace, we think of it nicely, right? We think of it neatly. And what I mean by that is we think that when God shows his mercy, it spares us ugly situations. It spares us moments and circumstances in our life that don't do us well. But when we recognize God's gift in this, the gift of his grace to give us the second chance, we can see that, listen, in Jonah's story, God's mercy wasn't clean. God's mercy wasn't neat and tidy. God's mercy was pretty messy, actually. [00:07:36] (40 seconds) #ThankfulToBeAlive

It brings to mind the book of James because in the book of James, we are called as all believers to not just be hearers of God's word but to be doers of it. And it says that when we only hear God's word and we don't do it, we deceive ourselves. There is a level of deception that can enter into our hearts and our minds and our souls when we sit and we sit under the teaching of God's word, when we sit and we read God's word and say, I've heard it, I've heard it, I've heard it, and I've heard it a hundred times over. But when you don't heed it, you deceive yourself. The buck doesn't stop with simply hearing. God expects and calls us to obey. [00:21:27] (47 seconds) #SufficientMercy

So instead of viewing God's gracious gift as something to take it as a license for us to go and to live however it is that we want to live and to do whatever it is that we want to do because, hey, I didn't die in the belly of the fish. Instead, because of God's grace that should move us and motivate us to a point where we say, I will give everything for the Lord because the life that I now live is not my own. I deserve wrath. I deserve judgment because I've sinned against a holy God but God is gracious. God is merciful. The life I now live, Christ lives in me. [00:27:38] (38 seconds) #GodIsBigger

A third barrier could be to look at the indignation in our own hearts. For Jonah, we will see that come out in the next couple chapters throughout chapter 3 and chapter 4. This indignation and what I mean by that is where we start to realize that our hearts aren't exactly where God's heart is. Maybe we harbor bitterness, we harbor anger, we harbor resentment towards an individual, towards a group of people, whatever it may be and we don't want them to experience the grace of God in the same ways that we have. We don't want God to show his favor towards them and what God will do is say, listen, my mercy is sufficient for all of these things and more. [00:38:51] (50 seconds)

But Jonah's story continues to remind us verse in, verse out, chapter in, chapter out, scene in, scene out, right? That God is far bigger than we are. God is bigger than a reluctant prophet who rebelled against an assignment. God's way bigger than that. God's way bigger than you. He's way bigger than me. He's way bigger than anyone. He's God. So if he commissions us to something, we can trust that he's going to be with us in it. We may not like it. You may not be thrilled about it. But be obedient. [00:40:16] (47 seconds)

If God's given you a second chance in whatever circumstance that may be, maybe it's in your marriage, in your workplace, even just in your salvation, the question for us today is will we seize that opportunity or will we squander it? Squander it by living for ourselves or seize it by living for the Lord. [00:41:03] (24 seconds)

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