In the often-forgotten ending of this book, the prophet Jonah is Offended by Grace. Jonah knows God is “a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity” (verse 2), but he doesn’t think Nineveh deserves God’s Unrelenting Grace. Although Jonah voices his disgust, God speaks the final word as he exercises his concern for the great city simply because that is what kind of God he is. May we reflect God like this to the world around us as we celebrate and worship our gracious and compassionate God.

God is the God of Second Chances. His mercies and grace are new every morning. This week we see the big miracle in the story of Jonah, but it has little to do with the reluctant prophet. Jonah’s final words in the fish come true in Nineveh in miraculous ways: “Salvation comes from the LORD.” Unlike Jonah, may our hearts be open and receptive to God’s Unrelenting Grace.

From the belly of the fish, Jonah finally acknowledges God and offers A Prayer from the Depths. He prays a pious prayer full of beautiful words and Biblical imagery, but can it really be called a prayer of submission? As we find ourselves in Jonah’s story, we should ask the same questions of ourselves. Do our words to God match our lives for God? Do our prayers reflect a life of total submission to God? May we be transformed completely by God’s Unrelenting Grace.

Very few of us would choose hardship over ease, but even hardships can be a source of God’s grace. The key question is how we will respond in the Wake of Grace when it comes in unwelcome forms. This week we see God’s challenging grace to two parties in the book of Jonah, but only one party responds with repentance and praise. Can we see God’s hand of providence and grace daily in our lives? May we always turn our hearts to God In the Wake of Grace.