READ: JONAH 1:1-17; 2:1-10; 3:1-3; LUKE 15:11-32

Like Jonah I’ve been running away

even though I hear God’s call

above the crashing waves

Still I’m sinking in my sin

deeper than I’ve ever been

shackled by the weight

of my regrets and mistakes

Three days spent searching for relief

So many doubts as I cry out

“God, do you really love me?”

I hear Him above the noise

A still and silent voice

If you take My hand

I’ll lead you to dry land

Even when my flesh is weak

and I run toward all the wrong things

He is still holding on

My breath when all air is gone

Like Jonah I finally get it

Our God is the King of second chances • Kara Krulick

• In the book of Jonah, God called Jonah to go to the city of Ninevah and warn them of God’s coming judgment if they did not turn away from their wickedness and fall on God’s mercy. But instead of going to Ninevah, Jonah ran away from God. In what ways have you been like Jonah? Is there anything you think God might be calling you to that you have been running away from?

• Sometimes, it can be hard to believe that God’s love is unconditional, and He will forgive us no matter how far we’ve run from Him. But God sent a storm, then provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah so he didn’t drown, and after three days God commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land. Then God gave Jonah a second chance to go to Ninevah, and he did. In a similar way, God the Father sent Jesus, God the Son, to save us. Jesus tells us that Jonah’s story points to His story (Matthew 12:38-41). When we were stubbornly running away from God, Jesus went to the grave we were destined for, but after three days He was raised from the dead. So now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is rescued from sin and death. As Christians, we are free to follow Jesus. And even though we will continue to mess up until Jesus returns and makes all things new, He keeps giving us forgiveness and second chances. Can you think of some ways God has given you second chances? (You can find more about the good news of Jesus on our "Know Jesus" page.)

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (NIV)