God Wants to Reach the Lost Through Us
OPENING PRAYER:
Jesus, break my heart for the ones that don’t have a relationship with you. Amen.
“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
REFLECT:
In the story of Jonah, God prompts Jonah to go to the city of Ninevah and share the message God put on his heart. At first, Jonah didn’t want to go because he had his own doubts about Ninevah choosing to follow God. God wouldn’t leave Jonah alone about it and he prompted Jonah a second time. There’s a reason God cared so much about Jonah going to Ninevah.
The reason is that Jonah was God’s plan to reach Ninevah with the word of God. After God prompted the second time Jonah was obedient and took a step of faith by going to Ninevah. When Jonah shared God’s message it was like a revival started in the city - the king of Ninevah even proclaimed an urgent call for God throughout the city! I don’t think Jonah expected to see this kind of response from the people, but his obedience sparked a revival in their hearts.
APPLY:
This was an incredible move of God and it started with Jonah taking his next step. Jonah reached out to the people in Ninevah despite his personal doubts and feelings. We sometimes focus on our fear and not what might happen if we share the Gospel with someone. God is using us to share his message of hope with others. We are his plan, there’s no backup. There’s a holy sense of urgency because people’s eternities are at stake.
Next time you feel someone has been laid on your heart, be challenged in this way: think about the best thing that could happen if you share with them. Think about if they do choose to accept Jesus what life they’ll have. Choose to focus on that outcome rather than insecurity. What move of God might happen if you took a step of faith like Jonah?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to not be afraid of sharing the Gospel with others. Amen.
CONTINUED READING:
Jonah 4:2, Jonah 3:10