If God Gives You A Second Chance

This past Sunday I shared a message on Second Chances because we all need to know (at least some time in our life) that we serve a God of Second Chances. Jonah needed a second chance…“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time” (Jonah 3:1). It is likely that you will need one, too! So it is good to recall that Jonah was willing to make the change required with his second chance. He returned to the mission God had called him to do. Admittedly, he had some attitude issues that needed cleaning up—but he was obedient to the calling—even when he was not feeling it yet as he should. Nevertheless, the mission was successful and resulted in the greatest revival in the Old Testament when the Ninevites, 120,000 strong, turned in repentance to God.

I say all this to say—Do not miss out on your second chance gifted to you by God. Neither should you excuse yourself from this excellent opportunity to make things right. Some people use hard times, bad breaks or moral failings as excuses to quit trying. In reality, these are never good reasons to excuse yourself from moral responsibility. Remember in scripture the ones God still used after hard times, bad breaks or personal failures in their lives:

Noah had a drinking problem.                                
Abraham was too old (to do the one thing God called him to do).
Isaac was naïve and gullible (and it caused trouble).        
Jacob was a cheat and a liar (and he caused trouble).
Joseph was abused when he was young.
Moses had a speech impediment throughout his life.
Gideon was afraid.                                                    
Sampson had a problem with the women.                      
Rahab had a problem with the men.                                    
David had a messy affair.                                                              
Elijah had suicidal tendencies.                                              
Jeremiah was very emotional (and cried a lot).                      
Naomi struggled with grief as a widow.                                      
Jonah ran from God.                                                                            
Job went bankrupt.                                                                            
John the Baptist had a grooming problem and a strange diet (a peculiar guy).
Peter had issues with follow-thru and was in denial (at least 3 times).          
Martha worried about everything.
The Samaritan woman was divorced multiple times.      
Zacchaeus was a cheat working for the IRS.                            
James and John (Sons of thunder) both had a temper.            
John Mark was immature and unreliable.                            
Thomas has some serious trust issues.                                    
Timothy had medical issues.                                                        
Paul persecuted Christians and had a bad reputation in the church.

The next time you feel sorry for yourself and come up with some excuse to quit—remember those who came before you. Learn from them that we serve a God of Second Chances. If God gives you a second chance, don’t blow it! Instead, humble yourself before the Lord, trust in Him, and He will lift you up! (1 Peter 5:5-7). Can I get an Amen!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron