Echoes #4

Echoes of Repentance

Jonah didn’t just avoid going to Nineveh—he avoided submission. God called him to a rebellious city, but Jonah went the other direction because he thought he knew better than God about people he didn’t like.

When a storm hit, Jonah volunteered to save the ship and was thrown overboard. He knew the chaos came from his stubborn heart. A giant fish swallowed him. In the silence and darkness of the fish’s belly, he prayed a humble prayer that ended with the words, “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). He eventually made it to the city he was called to.

He was humbled—but still reluctant. The people repented despite Jonah’s hesitation and minimal preaching. God changed their hearts and minds. Jonah didn’t want to go, but God still used him for the repentance of a city.

God’s grace overcomes our hesitation, our resistance to submission, and even our attitudes toward others. His power isn’t limited by us. He can change a city. Even through a flawed messenger, God still shouted with echoes of repentance.