REPENTANCE IS PERSONAL

DAY 278 OF 365 IN 2021

Jonah 3:5-6 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.

Nineveh did not repent and get saved purely by the decree of their king. In fact, even before word reached his ears, the citizens had taken matters into their own hands and had already proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth. What prompt response!

Their repentance did not wait, it was swift and immediate. It was not ordered or decreed, it was individual responses, a kindled spark that spread citywide. That is how repentance ought to be for none can truly repent except the decision is personally made. It can be suggested, but its execution lies in the hands of an individual.

For Nineveh, there may have been a royal decree, but it still required obedient and willing citizens to follow. Likewise in our context too, even the words “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand” will remain a suggestion until it finds expression in the hearts of its hearers.

#sly