Repentance

The call to repentance is a theme that has echoed throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God gives a clear promise to His people:

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

God has already revealed how He responds to genuine repentance. There are three key indicators of true repentance: humbling oneself, praying and seeking God’s face, and turning from wicked ways. Whenever a person embraces these three actions in repentance, God promises to respond with mercy, forgiveness, and restoration.

In the New Testament, the word repentance comes from the Greek word metanoeó, which means to think differently or change one’s mind. This call to repentance was a vital part of the message in the early church. Peter declared it boldly in his first sermon on the Day of Pentecost:

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
— Acts 2:38 (NKJV)

Therefore, repentance is not a one-time emotional response but a lifestyle of turning toward God and continually aligning with His ways.

A Tale of Two Prophets sent to one city

The city of Nineveh stands as one of Scripture’s strongest lessons on how God responds to repentance — and what happens when repentance fades. Through the ministries of Jonah and Nahum, we see that God is both merciful and just. His mercy is deep, but the window for repentance does not remain open forever.

When Repentance Saved a City

God sent Jonah to proclaim judgment against Nineveh because of its great wickedness. Yet when the message reached the king and the people, they humbled themselves, fasted, and turned from evil. Their response moved the heart of God:

“Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them…”
— Jonah 3:10 (NKJV)

Their transformation revealed a foundational truth:

“He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
— Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV)

Nineveh experienced divine mercy because their repentance was genuine and visible.

The Time Period Before the Relapse

Approximately 100–150 years passed between the prophecies of Jonah and Nahum. Sadly, a future generation abandoned the humility and transformation of their ancestors. They returned to violence, arrogance, and sin as before. Repentance must be maintained and passed on, not forgotten or assumed. God’s patience, though great, is not without limit:

“My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…”
— Genesis 6:3 (NKJV)

When Lack of Repentance Destroyed a City

By the time of Nahum, God’s judgment had become unavoidable. The people rejected mercy, and the window of grace closed.

“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
And will not at all acquit the wicked.”
— Nahum 1:3 (NKJV)

In 612 BC, Nineveh fell. The same God who once relented from judgment now executed justice because repentance was abandoned.

Key Lessons From Nineveh

 1. Repentance must produce lasting transformation

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.”
— Matthew 3:8 (NKJV)

 2. God’s kindness invites repentance, not complacency

“…the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
— Romans 2:4 (NKJV)

3. Repentance has a window — respond while God calls

“Seek the Lord while He may be found…”
— Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV)

4. God forgives completely when we return to Him

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive…”
— 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

5. Judgment is certain for those who refuse to repent

“Behold…the severity of God… if you continue in His goodness.”
— Romans 11:22 (NKJV)

We are responsible for our response to God. There are consequences for a continued lifestyle of sin in this present life and a final judgment for all at the end of the age. The final call is beautifully captured in the scripture below.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)

Do not waste the gift of mercy.
Do not delay the call to repentance.
Do not settle for a momentary turning — walk daily in obedience.

God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and rich in lovingkindness… but He calls us to remain in Him. May we respond to His compassion with a transformed and surrendered life that endures for generations.

Be Blessed
Pastor EM