The Heart of God for the Lost (Part 1)

Jonah 3:3-5, 10, ESV

So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. … When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Jonah 4:11, NASB

Should I not also have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 people, who do not know the difference between their right hand and their left, as well as many animals?”

Ezekiel 33:11a, ESV

Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live;

2 Peter 3:9, ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Repentance is the cry of His heart and the yearning of His soul.

And it should be ours as well.

This week, as we’re going into Holy Week, may we stop to ponder the heart of God for people, the heart of God for us—and may we ask Him to align our hearts with His.

This Charles Spurgeon quote is one of my favorite quotes of all time:

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”

Oh Lord, this week, as we celebrate the sacrifice and gift of Jesus, may we open our hearts before You, that You will align our hearts with your own. Let us burn with gratitude for the gift you have given us, and let us burn with zeal to see the lost become found. Amen.