GOD REPEATED HIS INSTRUCTIONS
Jenna Worsham
Today's Scripture: “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’” Jonah 3:1-2, NIV
Theme: When God tells us a second time, we need to heed His voice and take action.
SOURDOUGH
“When the timer rings, take the dough out of the container and stretch it four to six times without ripping it. Then place it back in the container and set the timer for another 30 minutes. Once the second timer rings, repeat the stretch and fold process. Do this four times in total, covering the dough in between so that it doesn’t dry out. After the final stretch and fold, cover it up and leave it. I’ll be home before anything else needs to be done.” After I finished rattling off instructions, my seventeen-year-old asked me to repeat them. I did, and I also pointed to written instructions on the counter. Leaving right when the dough needs lots of handling before its first proof is not ideal. Yet, if the stretch and folds were slightly off, I could still make something edible out of it.
DISHES
After we finish meals together, it is a family habit to clear dishes to the sink, leaving the table clear. When I am working efficiently, I try to wash the pots and pans and have the dishwasher empty as I prepare so that post-meal cleanup is quicker. When this happens and I would like to change the routine, I ask: “Could everyone please load their dishes and silverware into the dishwasher tonight? The dishwasher is empty and loading it up would help make clean-up quicker today.” Because it’s easy to revert to the usual habit, someone will often lay a dish in the sink instead. I don’t think it is on purpose. I might say a second time: “Whose dish is this in the sink? Come back and load your items into the dishwasher, please.”
GO AND PROCLAIM
In today’s Scripture, God tells Jonah a second time to “Go... and proclaim” the Message He has been given. In Jonah’s day, this was a prophet’s calling. Not everyone shared God’s message. Today, as disciples of Jesus with access to the Holy Spirit, it is our common calling to “go” and “proclaim.” You don’t have to pray about it, it’s for everyone. Go (somewhere--even if that’s just to work or school) and proclaim (the Good News about Jesus). In Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples, this is the direction they received. “Go everywhere and make disciples. Tell them the Truth. As you do this, teach the new disciples to obey” (Matthew 28:19-20, paraphrased).
INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TWICE
Jonah tried to avoid God’s instructions, and it didn't go well for Him. After He has the crazy experience of being thrown into the sea and living inside a fish, God speaks again and says... the same thing. Jonah didn’t need the command to “go and proclaim” repeated to him because the instructions were complicated like my sourdough bread instructions. (If you were wondering, my daughter completed the stretching and folding process correctly, thus our family enjoyed the delicious sourdough together.) Jonah also didn’t need God’s instructions repeated for him because he was in a routine and absentmindedly forgot, like my family sometimes forgets to load the dishwasher. Jonah heard from God a second time because He intentionally ignored and disobeyed the first time.
Make It Personal: Remember a time you repeated instructions for one reason or another? What was the scenario? When do you ask others to repeat their instructions to you? Now think of a time God has had to repeat instructions or a lesson. It’s sobering. When God repeats Himself, that usually means I find myself in the same sticky situation of disobedience again. Let's pray.
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thanks for being patient with me and giving me second chances. Help me to see the places where I am avoiding Your instructions or outright disobeying on purpose. I can get into a rut sometimes. Please gently correct me and help me as I choose to willingly obey. I might not understand Your instructions the first time. Please give me wisdom and help. Thank You for making some things obvious -- like the common calling to go and proclaim. Help me do that today in big or small ways. I want to heed Your voice. Especially if You’re telling me for the second time! In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Jonah 3; Matthew 28:18-20
Weekly Memory Verse: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17, ESV