Day 9 - Jonah 3:5

A Fasted Journey for Spiritual Renewal

Day 9

And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. -Jonah 3:5

Steve Friend and I participated in a Weaponization Symposium hosted by The Heritage Foundation. Heading into trips like this I often wonder if they are worth the time. The time traveling, the time away from the family, the time spent speaking and engaging with people. Thus far, they always have been. This was a great event and I am glad to have participated in it. Steve and I were the first guest to speak. You can watch here if you are so inclined:

Near the end of our time speaking, I referenced the book of Jonah and how the people repented. If you’ve been following the Substack since the beginning, you know that Jonah has a special place in my heart (Welcome to Nineveh Part 1 and Part 2 [I have at least two more parts to go…I’ll get to them eventually…I think]). During the rest of the day I remembered that the people of Nineveh also fasted. It’s apparent that they did so out of humility and repentance.

Jonah was going through the city telling them that they were doomed for destruction. Remarkably, they “believed God” and then “called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.” Truly a remarkable turn of events for such a wicked city and nation. Nineveh was also a capital city; of the Northern Kingdom. Jonah was reluctance to do God’s bidding for his life only goes to show the miraculous work that God did in the heart’s of the people of Nineveh. I pray He will work in a similar way for our nation. No doubt that we are intentionally on the same path towards destruction as Nineveh was.

My bible commentary notes that fasting and sackcloth were “outward symbols of inward contrition and humiliation” and that people from all walks of life, up and down the socio-economic ladder “hoped that God might turn from His anger and spare them.” I pray that many more Americans, also from all walks of life, come to this similar conclusion and repent of our collective wickedness.

I am not a medical professional. This journal is about my spiritual path and about that which the Lord has placed on me. This is not medical advice, nor was this fast done for any medical purpose. If you have a medical interest, seek medical advice. If you have particular health concerns, seek medical advice and/or conduct your own research. Any fasting advice, effects, realizations or anything else related to my fast come from my personal reflection and experience. If you are considering fasting, consulting with a healthcare provider may be appropriate for you.