From punishment to forgivness

From Punishment to Forgiveness
"So, why can't I likewise change what i

feel about Nineveh from anger to

pleasure, this big city of more than a

hundred and twenty thousand childlike

people who don't yet know right from

wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent

animals?"
Jonah 4:11(MSG)

God does not delight in the death of a

sinner or in doing evil. This was why God

wanted to save the people of Nineveh who

were a very wicked people. Initially, He

had decided to judge them for their sins

and to destroy them. But before He did,

He gave them one more opportunity to

repent and turn from their sins so that

He will forgive them and not destroy

them.

God sent Jonah to go and preach in

Nineveh to warn the people that they will

be overthrown in forty days if they do

not repent. Jonah refused because he knew

that if they believed and repented from

their sins and wickedness, God will

forgive them and will no longer destroy

them. Jonah wanted God to destroy the

people of Nineveh for their sins, but God

wanted to save them.

Finally, when Jonah preached to them,

they believed and repented, "God saw what

they had done, that they had turned away

from their evil lives. He did change his

mind about them. What He said He would do

to them He didn't do."

"Jonah was furious, He lost his temper.

He yelled to GOD, "GOD!  I knew it-- when

I was back home, I knew this was going to

happen! That's why I ran off to Tarshish!

I knew You were sheer grace and mercy,

not easily angered, rich in love, and

ready at the drop of a hat to turn your

plans of punishment into a program of

forgivness!" Jonah 4:1-2(MSG) if you will

respond to His favour today and repent

and be born again, He will turn His plans

of punishment into plans of forgiveness

for you.

INSTRUCTION:
Due to this understanding you have

received, pray for the salvation of souls

today, that their hearts will be opened

to the love of God and the gospel of the

Lord Jesus Christ. Also, tell someone

about the love of God today.

FOR FURTHER STUDY READ:
Jonah 1:1-3, Jonah 3:1-5,10, Jonah 4:1-

11.

DOING THE WORD:
If you are not born again, I encourage

you to pray the prayer of salvation on

page 66.