The day man and beast fasted (the power of repentance)

Jonah 3:7-10 “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. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not? And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way; AND GOD REPENTED OF THE EVIL, that He had said that He would do unto them; and HE DID IT NOT.”

It is quite clear that God Almighty is very expressive and responsive. Jehovah God responds positively to our actions and prayers. The story of the inhabitants of the Old City of Nineveh had been told repeatedly. The City and its inhabitants were doomed for destruction, as a result of their wickedness, ungodliness, despondency, iniquities and evil ways. A prophet of God was commissioned by Him to preach against their vices. Jonah, the reluctant missionary refused to go to Nineveh, as he wanted these evil people to be destroyed. Jonah was prepared to die rather than preach the message of mercy and repentance that would save this multitude of people. But during his three days in the belly of a whale, Jonah repented and went straight to preach to the wicked people of Nineveh.

Having heard of the impending doom and destruction, the king decreed that every human being including beasts, goats, dogs and all animals should abstain from food, water and pray fervently to claim God’s overflowing mercy. The Bible says “when they repented, God also repented and decided not to punish them for their endemic waywardness.

Over and over again, we have been shown that our God is not wicked. He delights not in the death or destruction of anyone. Isaiah 59:1-2. “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that He cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that He cannot hear: BUT YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE SEPARATED between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear”. God is ready to forgive anyone who will RETURN to Him. Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou WILT NOT DESPISE”.

Imagine what will happen in our nation today, if everyone: the political class, clerics, sinners, saints, criminals, animals, beast, pets, etc. WILL GENUINELY FAST, REPENT AND SEEK GOD’S MERCY. The transformation will BE EXHILARATING AND UNIMAGINABLE. No human has attained a state of sinless perfection yet. The Blood of JESUS is the propitiatory and atoning sacrifice for all our sins, which should not drive us away from God’s love. Rather, His love and redemptive power should motivate us to come to Him. God’s loving invitation is soothing. Isaiah 1:18 “COME NOW, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as WHITE AS SNOW; though they be red like crimson, they shall be AS WOOL”.

It is time to repent and turn to the LORD. God will heal us. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND”.

Your sins should not be an excuse not to come to the LORD for TOTAL HEALING and forgiveness. There is no sin that you have committed or about to commit that is new to God. Through JESUS the LAMB of God, all our sins have been paid for (adultery, murder, robbery, fornication, etc.). Let us Repent and turn to the LORD. He will surely Heal our land.

Prayer: Father God, I return to You today in the Name of JESUS. I acknowledge my sins and my wicked ways. I am so sorry for my iniquities. I come to receive cleansing through the Blood of JESUS. Father God, have mercy on me. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and heal my life. I plead the mercy of God through the Precious Blood of JESUS. I receive forgiveness by faith in JESUS Mighty Name. It shall always be well with me. Amen.