2nd Call

In Jonah 3:1, the Lord comes to Jonah after he tried to run away from God's call to go preach to the Ninivites.  God did not come in judgment to cast Jonah aside, rather he came with grace to call him to his side.  God came to Jonah with another chance, a 2nd call to do the right thing.

Many years ago, I watched a war movie in which a 2nd Lieutenant ordered the platoon sergeant to take a hill that had a machine gun nest.  The sergeant sat down on a stump.  The 2nd Lieutenant asked him what he thought he was doing, to which the sergeant replied, "I'm giving you a 2nd chance to make the right decision."  That is what God gave Jonah.  And that it what He offiers us time and time again.

Jeremiah, on the other hand, receiving a 2nd call, was not being given another chance to get it right.  Instead, he received a 2nd call to add revelation and understanding after having answered the first call in obedience (cf. Jer 33:1f.).  Jeremiah, being faithful to answer the 1st call,  was ready to receive a 2nd call of deeper meaning and greater service.  Jonah's 2nd call was to give him a 2nd chance to obey God's command.

Both Jonah and Jeremiah were ultimately faithful to God's call, only Jeremiah was faithful from the firstt and therefore, building upon the foundation of the prophet's faith, God took Jeremiah to greater heights of revelation and ministry.

What about you?  Are you waiting on a 2nd call to allow you to step up to a higher plane of service and intimacy with God.  Or, are you in need of a 2nd opportunity to make the right decision?  Does it seem God has been silent lately?  Perhaps you should go back to the last thing you knew He wanted you to do and take a look.  Did you accomplish His task, take that step, submit to His will?  Or do you need to go back, accept the call, and become obedient to the Father?  Jus' Askn.