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CRY MIGHTILY

Jonah 3:7-9
"7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?"

This week we are studying FALLING BACK to GOD! We have turned to Jonah in the Old Testament. Jonah didn't want to go, GOD sent him anyway. Jonah's preaching was pretty weak, so it was God that turned these wicked people to good. "So the people of Nineveh BELIEVED GOD, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them." Imagine if that would happen today to a large city!!! Or, our country!! It would be a miracle!

What Jonah witnessed was a miracle! This city of idolaters who lived wicked lives admitted they were doing things wrong AND they took measures to change their actions! In today's verses; "And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and CRY MIGHTILY UNTO GOD: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands." As interesting as it is to consider this BIG city united in a scream and shout declaring their surrender to GOD, it may have been more subtle and more profound. In Hebrew the word "cry" is qara’ which means to proclaim, call or read. And, The word "mightily" is chazak which means true, no hidden agenda, total sincerity, and earnestness. Their "CRY MIGHTILY to GOD" was a recognition and declaration that GOD'S  TRUTH is THE TRUTH. This is what is needed in our city and culture today. It can happen in each individuals heart and mind. Just people turning to God with no hidden agenda. Just a willingness to follow Jesus.

The Ninevehites being violent and vengeful themselves feared what GOD might do to them; "Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" They without a doubt deserved to be wiped out by God's wrath. BUT, that is not GOD'S way...

The good parts of these daily devotionals are inspired by the sermon at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg Texas. You can watch it by following this link... https://youtu.be/em8FKOKZDpw
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