In 780 BC God used a reluctant man – Jonah – to teach the world about obedience and compassion. The lessons from Jonah are as relevant today as they were then.

God had called Jonah to be a prophet and deliver God’s messages. Jonah refused, and had to learn the lesson of obedience. God wanted him to preach a message of repentance and mercy to the Assyrians who were Israel’s most dreaded enemy. Jonah preached the message, but with bitterness and anger. Only later did he learn about compassion.

What YOU can learn from Jonah:

* God doesn’t always pick the nice men and the nice women. Jonah was far from perfect. But God’s way is to choose and to use flawed human material, changing them as He uses and remakes them.

* God forgives you if you blow it. Jonah was not successful the first time. God gives you the privilege of serving Him, despite all your deficiencies. Even if you blow it in the attempt, He is there to forgive you.

* God’s grace is universal. Jonah didn’t want the people of Nineveh to repent and come under God’s favor. He was a patriot who was focused on his own people, not a bunch of Assyrians. But he could not deny God’s love and care for them.

* God likes honest prayers. Jonah told God exactly how he felt – proud, bitter, and angry. You are invited to speak to God from where you are: in bad relationships, with poor attitudes, lacking hope, or not loving others.

* You can’t get away from God. God said, Go to Nineveh. Jonah went the other way – physically and spiritually. He thought he could run away from the Lord’s presence. God is everywhere and He not only followed Jonah, but created a situation where Jonah needed His help.

* Don’t try to defy God. Jonah chose to ignore God and almost cost all the sailors their lives because of his disobedience. The cost of disobedience is great – not only to the person creating the discord, but to those around him or her.

* God shows mercy – again and again. God showed mercy to the pagan crew on the ship, as well as to the people of Nineveh – in spite of their disbelief and disobedience. He loves the whole world.

* Love your enemies as well as your friends. Jonah was a reluctant prophet and had hatred for the Ninevites. Eventually he learned compassion towards them. God is supremely glorified when you are merciful to enemies and wrongdoers, and desire and seek their welfare.

* God restores sinners. God gave Jonah a second chance. After rescuing him from the belly of the fish, God gave Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh. This time Jonah obeyed. God restored Jonah to ministry and gave him success. God wants to give you a second chance.

* You don’t have the right to be angry. Jonah was angry about his mission, the revival that was taking place in Nineveh, and about the shade-producing vine that withered. God said, You have been concerned about this vine although you didn’t tend it or make it grow. Everything, even this city, is mine. The vine is not really yours. But you were very concerned about it. It was more my vine, Jonah, than your vine. God wants you to understand where you fit in His universe.

———– J. I. Packer is Board of Governors professor of theology at Regent College in Vancouver and the author of many books, including Knowing God, Knowing Christianity, Truth & Power, and A Quest for Godliness.

Carolyn Nystrom, a writer living in St. Charles, Ill., has authored more than 50 books and Bible study guides.

Adapted from Never Beyond Hope by J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom. (c) 2000 by J I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill., 1-800-843-9487. http://www.ivpress.com