OUR GOD IS A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

During our sermon today, the minister said, “God is a God of second chances.”

When you read the old and new testaments, you will see that he gives people many chances to do the right thing before being forced to act because of defiance or resistance to His plea’s.

He grieves at our rebellion because he knows that he is going to have to act eventually – much like parents everywhere who say, ‘if you do it again, you will be in trouble,’ then repeating the threat several times over before eventually having to physically stop the child and/or punish the child for their rebellion.

Now most of the time there is a very good reason for parents to stop their child from doing something, or for making them do something, i.e. like tidy up. But the child does not see it. They just see you preventing them from doing what they want or making them do something they don’t want to do. They feel like you are bossing them about just because you can. They do not see the bigger picture.

And this is how it is between us and God.

We do not see the bigger picture, so God asks us to believe that he loves us and trust him to do what is right for us. And if you realise that you have fallen into sinful behaviour. Stop. Turn back to Jesus and know that through the cross he has forgiven you. Then forgive those around you in the same way.

Our reading from Isaiah 55 says, ‘Listen, Listen to me and eat what is good,’ (Verse 2), and ‘Seek the Lord while he may be found.’ (Verse 6)

He also reminds us that his ways and thoughts are not the same as ours, so we need to trust him when we don’t understand what’s going on, and call to him for help in times of trouble.

As Jesus said, ‘Those who have an ear, let them hear.’

This is how I understand my God. Read for yourself, see what you think.

Added note:

As I was reading my bible, I came across a note that I'd put in previously in Psalm 51. It says,

'God forgives and gives you another chance!' Its a fabulous Psalm, especially verses 7-12.

7. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8. Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9. Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10. Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11. Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12. Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.