Key Text: Jonah 1:17 KJV - Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

God sent Jonah on an errand, but he rose up and fled from the presence of the Lord. In his attempt to run away from the presence of the Lord, he encountered the wrath of God. Although he knew that the Lord was angry with him, he delayed his repentance until he found himself in the belly of a fish. The Lord would have forgiven Jonah, if he repented in the ship. He would not have gone to spend three days in the belly of the fish.

Like Jonah, many of us have sinned against God and are trying to run away from Him. Let us learn from the ordeal of Jonah and run to the Lord instead, in repentance. The moment Jonah realised his folly and prayed, God answered, forgave and delivered him. The Lord has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Why will you die in sin, when God is willing and ready to forgive you?

Delayed repentance may land you in hell. The wages of sin is death; and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But thanks be to God because He has made adequate provision for our salvation. Jesus has fully paid the price for our redemption. Now is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late. Acknowledge, confess and forsake your sins now; and ask the Lord to forgive you. And He will give you the power to go and sin no more. Hallelujah!

Prayer: O Lord, give me the grace to examine myself always and to repent as required, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Reflection: ... behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation - 2 Corinthians 6:2b.