The God of Do Over's

By

Bob Allen

"Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time." Jonah 3:1

As I reflect back on my days as a kid on the grammar school play ground, I’m reminded of the many fun games we used to play at recess. One of those games in particular was called 4 square. Often times when we would attempt to hit the ball back to our opponent, it would either hit the line or land outside of the line, this meant we would be counted out and sent to the back of the line.

If you can recall, grammar school kids can be quite brutal. No one could bear the rejection or disappointment of being counted out nor live down the heckling of the kids that was targeted at the one poor soul who failed to perform accordingly.

So the only thing left to do was to beg the other kids for a what was commonly known as a "do over". If the "do over" was granted by the other kids, it meant that you would be allowed to try again or get a second chance, hoping that this time you would succeed.

How about you? Have you ever hit the ball of life on the line or outside the line and after begging those around you for a "do over," you were met with the painful reality of cold-hearted, blank stares of rejection.

Have you wondered if God would ever allow you a "do over" in your life, or if He would at least still love you and choose to use you to touch other people’s lives again?

Those of us who can relate to this story will be greatly blessed to know that our brother Jonah has some amazing news. He discovered firsthand, that the God of the Bible is a God who grants "do overs" in life.

In Jonah 3:1, the texts reads, "Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time."

Jonah operated from a unique survival strategy that emphasized his version of his flesh, which was to run and self protect. Commonly recognized and labeled today by believers as "disobedience". God said go, Jonah said no!

Instead, Jonah tries to escape on a boat for a vacation cruise that endangers his life and several other innocent people. His disobedience cost the sailors time and money. It interfered with the sailor’s personal and professional plans and affected their families as they would hear how they almost lost their loved one. It also put the lives of the people of Nineveh at risk spiritually and physically.

Many people today might define Jonah’s behavior at best as scandalous, rebellious and willful disobedience. You would think that God would find Jonah to be disqualified and therefore send him a memo informing him that He (God) had to "restructure the department" or that Jonah’s position would no longer be needed. Humanly speaking, Jonah was now a liability and had proven not to be a faithful employee, servant, messenger, or ambassador of the God of all creation.

I would like us to notice several truths regarding Father’s unexplainable heart of kindness, patience, grace and mercy in this story. We see that Father is interested in an intimate, personal relationship with us. He’s also interested in our journey, not just our destination. He is forever patient and doesn’t tire of us or leave us.

He eventually forgives Jonah and then graciously offers him a "do over". What intrigued me as I read this chapter again is that God still allowed Jonah to be His chosen messenger. Because He is faithful and rich in kindness, God is determined to glorify Himself in all of our failures and even our sinful choices and complete the work He’s begun in us.

As we can see, Jonah’s sin caused major inconveniences and problems to many people’s lives as well as his own. But just like Father does, He works all things out for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Verse 10 is the crescendo of this story, as we see the beautiful heart of our Holy, loving God. We read,"When God saw that the Ninevites repented and had put a stop to their evil ways, He had mercy on them and didn’t carry out the destruction He had threatened." Isn’t it comforting to know that God actually allowed the entire city of Nineveh a "do over".

Many of us are in dire need of a fresh new start. Be reminded my friend of the great news that our brother Jonah shared with us in this story. God extends to you and me this same loving mercy, if we would only allow Him to work in our lives. He will allow us time to come to our senses, so that we might repent and receive our "do over" in life.

It is true my friend, God will never count you out and send you to the back of the line.

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