The Plan of God |
Discipleship |
Faith |
Sin |
Perseverence |
Prayer |
Communion With God |
Pursuing God |
Devotion |
Following Jesus |
Time With God |
Sanctification |
Spiritual Warfare |
Trust |
The Word of God |
View All Categories
Ninevah was scheduled for demolition by God. It's end had been determined. That same God sent Jonah to warn it, so that they could repent and not be destroyed. What gives? Does God vacillate?
Recent Entries
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
When God Relents
October 30, 2008
"Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." Jonah 3:9
The refusal to acknowledge God has always been met with sovereign displeasure and disfavor, followed by degrees of judgment as necessary.
God doesn't just slink off when ignored. He does whatever will get our attention. It was true in the old and new testaments, and he has not changed. His holiness is immutable like the rest of him. Every living soul belongs to him. (Ezekiel 18:4) He is the potter, we are the clay. And clay doesn't get to tell the potter where to get off.
At the same time, God is full of compassion. And again and again that compassion wins out, delaying the outpouring of wrath or canceling it altogether.
Jeremiah was God's spokesperson to rebellious Israel, and his message was equally salted with both the compassion and wrath of God.
"Tell them everything I command you - do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his wicked way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done." Jeremiah 26:3
The wickedness of Ninevah had gotten God's attention (Jonah 1:1). Jonah refused to go because he knew "what a softie God is."
"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Jonah 4:2
The modern world no longer recognizes God. We idolize the self instead. There is no word from above, we answer only to ourselves. God is not mocked. The more we rebel, the more he counters with warnings and signs. We are being humbled left and right. Economic systems fail us. Institutions are crumbling. Our cultural pillars are being systematically removed. Will we pay attention? Will the house cave in? Or will we repent so that God can relent.
Ninevah repented and bought 100 additional years for itself before it was completely destroyed. What will our fate be?
The refusal to acknowledge God has always been met with sovereign displeasure and disfavor, followed by degrees of judgment as necessary.
God doesn't just slink off when ignored. He does whatever will get our attention. It was true in the old and new testaments, and he has not changed. His holiness is immutable like the rest of him. Every living soul belongs to him. (Ezekiel 18:4) He is the potter, we are the clay. And clay doesn't get to tell the potter where to get off.
At the same time, God is full of compassion. And again and again that compassion wins out, delaying the outpouring of wrath or canceling it altogether.
Jeremiah was God's spokesperson to rebellious Israel, and his message was equally salted with both the compassion and wrath of God.
"Tell them everything I command you - do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his wicked way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done." Jeremiah 26:3
The wickedness of Ninevah had gotten God's attention (Jonah 1:1). Jonah refused to go because he knew "what a softie God is."
"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Jonah 4:2
The modern world no longer recognizes God. We idolize the self instead. There is no word from above, we answer only to ourselves. God is not mocked. The more we rebel, the more he counters with warnings and signs. We are being humbled left and right. Economic systems fail us. Institutions are crumbling. Our cultural pillars are being systematically removed. Will we pay attention? Will the house cave in? Or will we repent so that God can relent.
Ninevah repented and bought 100 additional years for itself before it was completely destroyed. What will our fate be?
