Second Chances

Many years ago I preached a sermon titled ‘The King of Second Chances’. It was based on King David’s fall from grace and subsequent repentance and forgiveness. The scripture I used was Psalm 51:7-17 where David sought the Lords forgiveness for his sins and asked Him to restore his joy.

Sin takes on all shapes and sizes and seems to abound in today’s society. As I look around me I feel two things, a disdain for all I see happening and a sense that people are getting what they deserve because they have bought into the lies of the enemy and are bringing great pain and destruction on themselves. It makes me want to turn away from the call of being salt and light to the world.

The second thing I feel is a broken heart for all those have bought into these lies. Not just those who do not know the Lord or the pain they are bringing upon themselves, but also imagining how our Father must feel as He watches Christ followers buying into the lies the world has succumb to that directly violate His word. I shake my head in disbelief.

The broken heart is what helps keep me on His path for my life. There are days when the pain of those who do not know Him or Christ followers who have bought into the lies of the enemy is so strong, it nearly brings me to tears. I think to myself, if they only knew what is ahead…if they would only believe with their heart and not try to use man’s logic, they could see the simple truth of His love.

To my fellow pilgrims I beseech you to not despair, but to continue on the path He has chosen for us. Remain stead fast in your calling, seek the Lord earnestly to see His love for all His people, not just those who know Him. When you understand how much He loves all of us, it will drive you to embrace where you are and His calling for your life.

Blessings

Second Chances
by Os Hillman

…”I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2

Have you ever gone through a time of disobedience with God? Jonah was a prophet of God who decided he didn’t want to prophesy for the Lord. God wanted him to deliver a message to Nineveh to warn them against impending destruction if they didn’t turn from their ways.

Jonah had developed a hardened heart toward the people of Nineveh. He didn’t really care if they repented or not; so rather than travel to Nineveh and deliver the message, he hopped a boat in the opposite direction. You probably know the rest of the story. He was eaten by a fish and spent a few days thinking about his decision.

There is a place where we all will obey. What circumstances must take place for us to become obedient? For some of us, it requires a good shakeup. For Jonah, it required a big shakeup because he was God’s man to save 120,000 people. He was chosen by God to be used by God, and God didn’t give up on him.

God understands our disobedient heart. He sees what we really are; yet He gives second chances. God gave Jonah a second chance. He gave the people of Nineveh a second chance. It is a lesson of love from a heavenly Father who specializes in second chances. Have you blown it? Have you disappointed someone close to you? God is the God of second chances. All we have to do is acknowledge our waywardness. He will restore. He will give grace. Ask Him.