The LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you."
-Jonah 3:1 (NRSV)
GOD told Jonah to go to Nineveh, a wicked city, and preach a message of repentance and salvation. Jonah refused and ran away on a ship. But the ship encountered a storm, and Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish. After Jonah repented, the fish spat him up on shore. So Jonah preached destruction throughout Nineveh, and the city turned to God.
Jonah's story shows that God is gracious to sinners and to believers. The Ninevites, whose sins were many, were spared judgment, and God sent someone to call them to repentance. This is grace.
Jonah was also shown God's grace. God didn't cast him aside when he disobeyed. God didn't get someone else to do the job. God patiently "came to Jonah a second time" and told him again what he was to do. Jonah was given another chance to obey. This is grace, too.
Can any of us say that we have always been completely faithful and obedient to God? Grace allows us to lift up our heads after we sin, knowing that God will give us another chance.
