The God of Second Chances
Wednesday, July 15
The God of Second Chances
But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Jonah 1:3
We are all familiar with the story of Jonah, a great fish was appointed by God to swallow Jonah and he was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights. One of the great miracles of this story is that the fish did not digest Jonah but instead held onto and then vomited Jonah onto dry land at an appointed time. One thing that’s clear throughout this story and really not just this story but more so throughout the Bible is that God is a God of second chances. Now that Jonah has been given a second chance, what will he do? In brief, we know that Jonah makes the decision to obey the call from God and go to Nineveh. Jonah was given a second chance at life and because of his obedience the people of Nineveh were saved.
Many of us can relate to Jonah’s experience. Having run away from God and from His calling on our lives, we find ourselves in the midst of a storm. The good news is that no matter how far away we have run, we serve the God of second chances! He assures us in 1 John 1:9, that ‘if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.
Through the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross we are redeemed and rescued from death. He is the God of second chances. Repentance is an act that occurs when we are touched by the Spirit of God and we cry out to God, asking to be forgiven and not only that, but also change. Just as Jonah did while sleeping in great fish that he cried out to God confessing his wrongs and was restored to God’s will. God is extremely patient with us, much more patient than I could ever be so I am grateful for His unconditional love.
If we fail to hear and heed the Word of God, and continue in our own ways, the consequences of our actions will eventually catch up to us. You don’t have to understand everything in the Bible to believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive sin. He died for me and He died for you. I know that I have been blessed with forgiveness from my sins and it is a phenomenal experience. How about you? Have you been forgiven? Are you willing to be redeemed and rescued resulting in a great change in your life? Are you ready to come to the God of second changes? If so, you ask from the heart, know that God will forgive. Allow Him to come in and experience the greatness of God’s second chances.
Prayer for today: Everlasting Father, thank You for Your grace and Your mercy – that no matter how far away I have run or what sort of circumstances I now find myself in, You offer me another chance. I’m sorry Lord for not trusting You, forgive me I pray, Amen.