“But Jonah ran away from the Lord…” Jonah 1:3

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time…” Jonah 3:1

Jonah’s story is a portrait of mercy in motion.

God called Jonah. Jonah ran. But mercy chased him. Not because Jonah was worthy, but because God is merciful.

Even in rebellion, God didn’t discard Jonah, He redirected him. Mercy didn’t cancel the mission, it covered the man.

In the belly of the fish, where hope should have drowned, mercy breathed again. God heard Jonah’s prayer from the depths (Jonah 2:2), and gave him a second chance.

That’s what mercy does, it reaches into the mess, the depth, the middle, the places we think disqualify us, and says, “I’m not done with you.”

Mercy is not soft; it’s fierce. It holds you when you fall, but it also pulls you forward.

Jonah still had a calling. And so do you.

Maybe you’ve gone your own way. Maybe you’re in a place you never expected, swallowed by consequences, stuck in shame. But if you’re still breathing, mercy is still speaking. God’s word can come to you a second time.

His mercy doesn’t run out, it runs after.

Lord, thank You for mercy that follows me, finds me, and doesn’t give up on me. Your mercy reminds me that You’re still calling. Thank You that Your mercy never quits. Amen.