God was very displeased with Nineveh. Yet, so great was his desire to pardon the Ninevites that he sent Jonah not once but twice to call them to repentance—even though Jonah was more angry with Nineveh than God was! This is God’s heart toward us, too.
His heart is broken by our sinfulness, but he yearns to forgive us. He will go to any length to get us to turn away from whatever keeps us from his loving embrace.
The story of Jonah is not really about sin. It’s about mercy—his mercy toward the Ninevites and his mercy toward Jonah. Yes,*** he hates our wickedness, but that doesn’t mean he sees us as wicked.*** The Hebrew word for “evil” also means hurt, misery, sorrow, and trouble. God wants us to come back to him because he sees
the pains and problems sin brings to us
. With the same urgency that he called Nineveh to repentance, he calls us, too—to focus on him, on his goodness, and on his promises to us.
When you consider your own sins, first consider who God is. He is your creator, and he is love (1 John 4:8-16). He knows you intimately, values you, and cares about your needs (Matthew 6:25-34).
He is a husband who speaks lovingly to your heart (Hosea 2:16-18), and a friend who shares his life, his dreams, and his thoughts with you (John 15:15). More than anything, this great and powerful God wants to have a relationship with you—he wants his life to be your life.*** He wants to bring you his joy and peace. ***
You really have nothing to fear:
When you turn to him with all your heart, God promises to hear you and to rescue you from exile (Jeremiah 29:12-14).
He will never forget you. Rather, he will draw you to himself and heal you (Hosea 11:4). Spend some time today just thinking about how much God loves you.
Talk with him frankly about your life: the good, the bad, the important, and the ordinary. Tell him of your needs and desires. And then sit quietly in his presence and listen to him. He is waiting to speak to you!
…Deo Gratius!