Coming Back from a Setback

"Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time" Jonah 3:1

     Have you ever blown it? Have you ever messed up? If we are honest, all of us have our own personal hall of shame where our faults, flaws, and follies are recorded. Consequently we find ourselves experiencing setbacks that set us back from fulfilling the potential and purpose that God has for our lives. In these moments we find ourselves discouraged, depressed, and defeated because we know we have let our God down, ourselves down, and our family down.  However there is good News for you today. Even after you have suffered setbacks, God can help you to come back! How do I know, because "Comeback", or restoration, is one of the themes of the Bible. The pages of scripture are lined and littered with examples of individuals who blew it, but were able to come back.
     In our text for today, Jonah, the preacher, had blown it. The Bible says that Jonah deliberately disobeyed God and went in the opposite direction of God's will for his life. Because of his own choices, Jonah suffered a major setback. He found himself in the dark, deep depths of a fish's belly. The Bible lets us know in Jonah 2:6, that he was going down, dah dah dah, going down. However the opening words of chapter 3 say, "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." How did Jonah go from experiencing a setback to coming back? How did he go from blowing it to blowing up? In the first place, Jonah recognized God (2:7a). Up to this point, Jonah had been asleep in the will, ways, and word of God. But now the Bible says he "remembered the Lord." He remembers God, the Covenant Keeping God, is gracious, forgiving, and will give him another chance. After recognizing the Lord, secondly he repented (2:7b). The Bible informs us that his prayer came up to God. You need to know that our prayers only have an affect when we come correct. We must be willing to say to God, "I blew it, God, I messed up, God, I'm sorry." Finally, he was willing to recommit to God's will for his life (2:9). Inside the belly of the fish he made a decision get back in line with God's will.
     Today no matter how far you have fallen, you need to know that failure doesn't have to be final nor fatal. God specializes in helping those with setbacks, comeback. If you Recognize who God is, Repent, and Recommit yourself to God's purpose for your life, you can go from blowing it to blowing up!
Peace!