UNIVERSALITY OF GOD'S MERCIES: THE BOOK OF JONAH... EPISODE 40!

Welcome to Episode 40. In my opinion, the universal power and mercy of God in the Book of Jonah is undeniable. How did God do that? I would present five astounding ways in which God did that. Number 1. God showed His universal power and undeniable mercy by raising the storm according to Jonah 1:4. But when it pleased Him, He willingly calmed it at His will, see Jonah 1:14-15. This does not necessarily mean that the recipients of His mercy deserved it. Let’s read: Jonah 1:4. But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Now let us read Jonah 1:14-15, it says: Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. 15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. You can cee that God initiated the storm and ended it. Number 2. God showed His universal power and undeniable mercy in a way that when Jonah was thrown into the sea, God did not allow Jonah to drown. How? Simply, God’s power and mercy showed up and the great fish which was already prepared and waiting there, took Jonah to the beach of the sea at Nineveh and vomited him out. Let’s read Jonah 2:10: And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. Number 3. God’s power and universal mercy touched the lives of the sailors and their co-travellers who were likely to be Phoenicians, and God spared their lives. Let’s read Jonah 1:13-16 to confirm. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. 14 Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. 15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. Number 4. God withheld His judgement towards the Ninevites while He had the power to do otherwise. It was His mercy that prevailed over judgment. As for the Ninevites, not just humans as related biblically, but also their herd and flock had to fast and wore sackcloth, see Jonah 3:7-8. Do you want to know the outcome? As it turned out, the Ninevites were spared from God’s judgment because of the mercy of God. Let’s read Jonah 3:7-8, 10. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. Number 5. God’s love and mercies are meant to extend to other parts of the world. How? The sending of the prophet from Israel to the Assyrian capital is an indication that God’s love and mercy should be allowed to extend to other parts of the world, read Jonah 3:7-10. In a nutshell, Jonah’s missional journey to Nineveh is meant to be a testament that God’s love, mercy, and salvation were never meant to be confined to Israel alone, see Romans 3:29 which says, God is the God of the Jews and Gentiles. Let’s appreciate the king who mobilised the entire city for repentance, read Jonah 3:7-10: 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. May you receive God’s pardon for yourself and your generation in the name of Jesus Christ. From now, there shall not be any accusation or allegation that will hinder your life and destiny in the name of Jesus Christ. I pray for you that the devil will never succeed in holding any accusation against you, your family, business and ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. To be continued. This message is brought to you by Reverend Dr. Isaac Ajibolorunrin, Senior Pastor, Christ the Lord Tabernacle Global