The Power of Sackcloth and Ashes

October 05, 2021

From today’s reading…

When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes.” Jonah 3:6

Historians estimate the population of Ninevah was between 100,000 and 150,000 back around the 7th Century B.C., which made it the largest city in the world at the time of today’s reading.

Now imagine the Prime Minister of Japan, meeting a prophet in Tokyo (population 37+ million) at one of their Olympic sites, removing his fancy suit, and sitting in ashes.

Would that cause a stir?

Would that make the news?

Would it make an impression on even a few of the 39 million residents of the city?

That would be the equivalent of what we see happening in today’s reading. Yesterday, Jonah nearly killed his sailing buddies because he was running away from God’s call.

Today, because he followed the instructions of the Lord, he helped save Tokyo.

That’s the power of God.

Will you let Him into your life and follow His instruction?

It’s the only way to…

Stay the course.Keep the faith.Endure.

Now go sell something.