On rare occasions, I will spend the afternoon playing a round of golf. Mind you, my golfing skills are lacking, so I am most comfortable playing with friends who will allow for an occasional mulligan. For those of you who are not familiar with this term, it means to retake a shot without penalty. It’s a do-over of sorts.
A do-over is a chance to try something again, often with the acknowledgment that the first attempt did not go as planned.
In the business world, a revised proposal is not uncommon. It is typical for a writer to work on second and third drafts. Personally, I am grateful that my computer offers editing options to undo typing mistakes or even redo the things I mistakenly deleted. All of these are opportunities for do-overs.
In Scripture, God was gracious to offer Jonah a do-over. “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you’” (Jonah 3:1–2 NIV).
When God first called Jonah to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh, he fled in the opposite direction, boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. His disobedience led to a life-threatening storm, and he was cast overboard, only to be swallowed by a great fish (Jonah 1:17). After three days and nights in the belly of the fish, Jonah cried out to God, repented, and was miraculously delivered (Jonah 2:10).
Jonah 3:1 marks a turning point. God does not abandon Jonah in his failure. Instead, he gives him an opportunity for a do-over. This act of grace underscores a fundamental truth about God. He is a God of second chances.
Jonah’s second chance, his do-over, led to Nineveh’s own opportunity for redemption. Early in the first chapter of Jonah, God said “their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2 KJV). When he finally obeyed God and preached to the city, the people of Nineveh, from the king to the commoner, repented in sackcloth and ashes (Jonah 3:5–10). As a result, God’s judgment was turned away, grace was extended, and the city was saved.
The concept of second chances is integral to the church’s mission. God’s mercy toward Nineveh reminds us that no person or nation is beyond his reach. In global missions, this truth fuels our hope and perseverance.
As you read this Global Missions edition of the White Wing Messenger, consider these truths:
1. God’s call is persistent. Like Jonah, perhaps you have not been obedient to the call of God, whether to witness to your neighbor or to carry the gospel to another land, and you are wondering if he still allows do-overs. The answer is “yes.” He remains persistent in his call and is still the God of second chances. The mission of the church is not dependent on flawless individuals, but on God’s perfect grace.
2. No one is beyond redemption. Nineveh’s repentance demonstrates that even the most hardened hearts can be transformed. This should embolden the church to engage the peoples and cultures of the world that seem far from God.
3. Obedience is essential. Jonah’s obedience was key to citywide repentance and spiritual transformation. Your obedience might be the catalyst for the salvation of a loved one, a neighbor, or someone in the far reaches of the world.
4. Grace fuels the mission. Both Jonah and Nineveh were recipients of grace. We are not merely heralds of God’s judgment but also ambassadors of his mercy and grace.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured—
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
— Julia H Johnston
As we reflect on Jonah’s opportunity for a do-over, we see a God who redeems our failures, renews our calling, and restores our purpose.
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.” That same word comes to us today, urging us to go and proclaim his message. If you, like Jonah, need a do-over, remember that he is still the God of second chances.