God Changed his Mind About the Calamity

This meditation is based on a passage for March 9, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Jonah 3:1-4:11

Reflection and Question: The best-known part of the story of Jonah is his fleeing from God and being swallowed by a great fish. While he is in the belly of the whale, Jonah asks God for help and receives it. When God calls Jonah a second time to take a message to Nineveh, Jonah does it. To Jonah’s dismay, after God declares destruction on Nineveh through Jonah, God sees their repentance and does not inflict the promised calamity. God’s mind was changed. Such change is not something we expect of God. When has your mind been changed?

Prayer: Mighty God, Creator of all that is, You meant to destroy Nineveh on account of its evil ways. Then You saw their effort to turn from their violence and their hope that You would relent. Your loving kindness prevailed, fueling our hope. Amen.