SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/26/2025 8:00 PM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-2 “A Repentant Multitude”
Bible Reading and Meditation Reference: Jonah 3:-5
Message of the verses: “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.”
Let’s begin by looking at James 2:17-20 to show that the Ninevites’ rersponse was characterized by a living faith: “17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?” This faith which is evidenced itself in acts of repentance, which can be seen in this wonderful miracle in Nineveh. Immediately, they called a fast, as they refused to eat because they recognized the urgency of the situation (see 2 Sam. 12:16; Ps. 35:13; Ester 4:3). The prophet Joel similarly called for a fast in light of the severity of Israel’s sin and their dire need for repentance as seen in Joel 1:14 “14 Consecrate a fast, Proclaim a solemn assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land To the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.” Nineveh’s fast (cf. Jonah 3:6-9 “6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. 7 He issued a proclamation and it said, "In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. 8 “But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. 9 “Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish’” therefore, demonstrated an important parallel between Joel’s message to Israel and Jonah’s message to the Gentiles—the need for repentance (cf. Jonah 3:9 and Joel 2:14; Jonah 4:2 and Joel 2:13).) However, Nineveh was more responsive to the words of Jonah than Israel was to all their prophets. That the Ninevites went without food revealed that they were fully consumed with repentance and righteousness, and that their belief in God was sincere.
I will end this Sunday Morning SD by looking at the verses above as there is a comparison between them, and I will begin with Jonah 3:9 with Joel 2:14:
“9 “Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish." “14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?
“2 He prayed to the LORD and said, "Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.” “13 And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.”
Spiritual Meaning for My Life Today: Revival is a very important thing to do because we are human and because of that we fail and therefore need repentance and revival.
My Steps of Faith for Today: I trust the Lord to send revival to me in order to stay close to the Lord, so I can do His will in my life.
10/26/2025 8:30 AM
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