Nineveh.  It was a city known for its evil.  In fact, it was referred to as "the bloody city" by God due to the wickedness and violence within its borders.  It was the capital city of the Assyrians, a brutal, wicked, and immoral nation.  It was a city given over to witchcraft, whoredom, black magic, and spiritism.  Its rulers and people were controlled by demonic spirits, fallen angels who hate all of humanity.  These demonic spirits still live today.

It is no wonder that the prophet Jonah wanted to run the opposite direction when God called him to go to Nineveh and warn them about the judgement that was about to fall on them.  This man of God, a man who was, as a prophet of God, the spokesman for God, hated the Assyrians so much, he would disobey God's command rather than see them have the opportunity to repent of their evil.

You remember the story.  You may have heard it as a child.  Jonah ran the opposite way when God called him to service.

Finding a ship, Jonah boarded and tried to hide himself from the Creator of the Universe.  Impossible task, huh?  Yet, Jonah did not want to see these wicked people forgiven of their sins.  He wanted them to pay.  Pay dearly.  Thus, he ran.  As far in the opposite direction as he could.

In the middle of a great storm that was about to destroy the ship and all those who were aboard, Jonah was hiding, but knew this was the result of his sin and disobedience.  It is interesting that all the men prayed unto their own gods, but none listened.  Only Jonah's God, "the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land."  was capable of hearing the cry of their prayer.  And so, they threw Jonah overboard into the sea and the sea became calm.

Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, probably a whale.  For three days and three nights, Jonah remained alive in the belly of this great fish.  Kept alive by a merciful God who gives second chances.  Second chances for Jonah and second chances for that wicked city of Ninevah.

All of Ninevah repented.  Eventually though, they forgot the grace and mercy of God and they were destroyed in 612 B.C.

God is the God of second chances.  But, we must never forget God's mercy and grace.