ESOCS Devotional 30 July 2025 – He’s God of Saving Grace
MEMORY VERSE: “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 not.” Jonah 3:10 KJV
TEXT: JONAH 3:1-10
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying,
Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?
10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
The mercies of God endures forever (Psalms 136:1). He freely forgives all who come to Him in true repentance and faith (2 Chronicles 7:14). The Book of Jonah is one book of the Bible that stresses the grace of God at its utmost height. From the Book of Jonah, we understand that God does not treat the sins of humanity as we deserve, but rather offers forgiveness freely to all in love (John 3:16).
In our text, God saved the disobedient prophet from drowning, and gave him another opportunity to obey His instructions. When the people of Nineveh heard the warning from the prophet, and acted in humility and pertinence, the Lord had compassion on them and forgave them. Jonah himself confessed that God is a God of saving grace, (Jonah 4:2).
Yes, the people of Nineveh heard the word of God through Prophet Jonah. Just like Jesus reported in Matthew 12:41: the people of Nineveh did not only repent of their wickedness at the preaching of Jonah, but they turned in obedience to that which Jonah preached. This is in sharp contrast to the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, who persisted in their evil ways against all warnings from heaven (Genesis 19:1-3). What about the people of the world of Noah, who perished in disobedience and unbelief? (Genesis 7:1-23).
In John 3:16, God gave us His Son to atone for our sins. He did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that through Him all shall be saved. In John 1:12, we understand that as many as believe Him, He has given power to become the sons and daughters of God. Let’s not waste His saving grace unto everlasting life. The time of His coming, though like that of a thief in the night, is at hand. Let’s be mindful of our ways.
CHALLENGES
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. How?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, forgive us all our trespasses.
FURTHER READING: Jonah 2:1-10; Mark 6:31-66; 7:1-13
ESOCS Devotional 30 July 2025
