REPENTANT

«Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands» (Jonah 3:8).

The words you just read were not said by Jonah, but by the pagan king of Nineveh. When someone needs a dose of humility, we often say that he or she should «get off his or her high horse.» Surprisingly, the king of Nineveh not only believed Jonah’s message, but also literally got off his throne. He took practical action in his repentance; he took off his royal garments, dressed in mourning, and proclaimed fasting and prayer throughout the city. God accepted his prayers and those of the people, He «relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it» (Jonah 3:10).

Isn’t it ironic that it was those of that wicked city who give us such a practical example of repentance? Jonah, the chosen prophet, still had much to repent of, yet although they knew little about God and were partially motivated by fear of punishment, the Ninevites repented. They believed, they lowered themselves from their pride, and took action. The Ninevites accepted God’s diagnosis without excusing their behavior or looking the other way. They humbled themselves and took off their clothes that made them look healthy and strong. Instead, they put on mourning clothes that matched the divine diagnosis. Finally, they took practical action: they fasted, prayed intensely, and abandoned their wickedness. It wasn’t intellectual repentance. Like a high tide, repentance flooded every aspect of their lives and covered everything—their thoughts, their actions, their garments, and even their animals.

Our capacity for repentance is limited. Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that the Ninevites would rise up in judgment against them one day (Matthew 12:41). Ironically, the theoretical knowledge of the scribes and Pharisees was the obstacle that prevented them from recognizing their weakness. We need Christ in order to repent! In Selected Messages, Ellen G. White reflected, «Man is not capable of originating such a repentance as this, and can experience it alone through Christ . «— book 1, ch. 62, p. 393.

Dear Lord, I am weak; I need Your help to repent. Without the influence of Your Spirit, my repentance is a mere intellectual assent that does not change my life.
Please help me believe in the diagnosis You give me, accept it, and turn away from my pride. Show me the steps I can take today to distance myself from my sins. Transform my heart so that I can earn to love what is good and hate what is evil. Amen.

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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.