JONAH -- IT'S ALL ABOUT MERCY

God was being merciful to Nineveh.  Jonah was not wanting any part of it.  Jonah took a boat going in the opposite direction. 

When the storm came, the crew and everyone else on the boat were besice themselves.  Except Jonah was still hiding below.  He was still running from God by sleeping.  The others on the ship called out to their gods, but they could ot save them.  They finally cried out to the Lord to save them and to forgive them for throwing Jonah overboard.  God had mercy.

Jonah agreed to be thrown overboard.  That was just another way for him to run from the Lord.  God still hadn't given up on him, because he prepared a fish to save him and give him another opportunity to repent.

While dying inside the fish, Jonah prayed.   God had mercy. 

It would have taken Jonah 3 days to go through Nineveh preaching to all the people.  One day into his journey, enough people heard and believed.  Even the king believed and repented and called upon the Lord.  God had mercy.  God is merciful.

Jonah really got his nose out of joint.  God continued to show him compassion, physically and by teaching him about compassion.  God not only cared for 120,000 people of Nineveh, he also cared for one (Jonah).

God's mercy is still at work today.  We call on him and expect him to show us mercy for out daily little sins.  Should be not pray and call on him to have mercy on our own country.  Pray that God sends the right prophet through our country.  Pray that our leaders will hear what God is saying, believe and repent.