SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/18/2025 11:45 AM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-1 “Intro to Jonah 3:1-5”
Bible Reading and Meditation Reference: Jonah 3:1-5
Message of the verses: “Now the word of Yahweh came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and call out to it this very call which I am going to speak to you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three day’s walk. Then Jonah began to go into the city, one day’s walk; and he called out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” And the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.”
“The opportunity for sinners to repent is available only because the Lord is gracious. God would be right to destroy the wicked immediately and without warning. Yet, He patiently offers them the opportunity to turn from sin and to turn to Him in order to receive forgiveness. Divine grace is so extensive that Paul wrote, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20; cf. 6:1; 1 Tim. 1:14). As the record of human history reveals, rather than executing instant and total judgment on sinners, God has repeatedly extended mercy and grace to the undeserving by calling them to repentance (cf. 2 Peter 3:9).
“The pages of Scripture are filled with examples of sinners who repented and received God’s abundant grace. After Israel sinned by worshiping a golden calf, Moses interceded, and the Lord did not destroy the people (Ex. 32:34). David committed adultery with Bathsheba, but God forgave him when he confessed his sin in genuine contrition (2 Sam. 11-12; Ps. 32; 51). Though the Lord punished Israel by sending the people into exile, He spared the nation from extinction and brought the remnant back to the land (Ezra 1:1-4). When Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, responded in repentance, Jesus forgave him (Luke 19:1-10). Though Peter denied his Master three times, the Lord restored him to fellowship and ministry usefulness (John 18:25-27 and21:15-17; and see Matt. 26:71-75; Mark 14:69-72; Luke 22:58-62). Paul violently persecuted the church, but God transformed him and commissioned him to take the gospel throughout the Roman empire (Acts 9:1-22; 22:3-16; 26:9-18). As examples like these illustrate, God’s grace is so great that He is willing both to save the foremost of sinners (like Paul) and to restore disobedient disciples (like Peter). Those who repent are forgiven, reconciled, and restored to full fellowship with God.”
This is the first part of the introduction that John MacArthur has written on these first five verses of Jonah chapter three. Lord willing I will finish this introduction in my next SD.
Spiritual Meaning for My Life today: I must remember that the salvation that God has given to me is not something that was cheap, for it cost God His only begotten Son who spent three hours on the cross taking my sin upon Himself so that I can have eternal life, and that was such a gracious act, but a costly act, and I should never think of it any other way.
My Steps of Faith for Today: To never forget what it cost my Lord Jesus Christ to pay for my sins.
10/18/2025 12:14 PM
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