God had directed Jonah to travel east over land to Nineveh. But Jonah booked passage on a ship headed west toward Spain. During that journey a tremendous storm arose, and Jonah ended up in the Mediterranean Sea. That’s when the fish swallowed him. Within a short time of gulping down the prophet, the fish suffered an attack of indigestion. Jonah was vomited onto shore. Why?

The Second Chance

In the middle of the book of Jonah a most interesting phrase appears—“a second time.” Deliberately, consciously, stubbornly, Jonah had run away from God. Yet God came to the prophet a second time and allowed him to carry on his ministry. Jonah’s story is more about God than a man and a fish.

God is the God of the second chance, the fresh start, the new beginning, and the rebirth. If you miss this discovery, you miss the message of the book of Jonah, not to mention the entire Bible. God doesn’t turn a deaf ear or a cold shoulder to the repentant, no matter how blatant the rebellion or which border the runaway crosses. God gives second chances. Sometimes even in the exact place where we failed!

Bottom Line

If you are running from God, turn to Him. He will grant you a second chance.