God is a God of second chances. We see it throughout the Bible. Look at Peter who denied Jesus three times. When asked if he knew Jesus Peter was filled with fear and denied knowing Him not once, not twice, but three times. But God is a God of second chances. The next time Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached the gospel boldly and 3,000 people were saved through his message that day!
God is truly the God of second chances. Look at David who in a time of temptation not only slept with another man’s wife but had her husband sent to the front lines where he would surely die. However, when confronted with this sin David was filled with Godly sorrow and regret for what he had done. He cried out for mercy and God saw the true sincerity of his repentance. He refers to David over and over again as ‘a man after My own heart who will do all I ask of him.’
Maybe you, like David, are going through a season of discouragement because you’ve failed in some area. Maybe you’ve been running in the wrong direction of life. Don’t be afraid to go to God and confess your mistakes to Him. God wants to put you back in the game. If you will stay faithful to God and His word, the game isn’t over because God is a God of second chances.
Maybe you’ve completely turned your back on God and you’re backslidden, living without the peace of God and the joy of salvation you once knew. You might be out of fellowship with Him. God hasn’t turned his back on you. He is merciful and compassionate and cares deeply for you.
We only have to look at the parable of the prodigal son who was a wayward son that squandered his inheritance. But when he returns home he finds his father forgives him and even throws a party for him because of the joy of knowing he has returned. God is truly a God of second chances.
God doesn’t want us to get stuck in a moment in time when things didn’t go our way. He wants us to let go of the past and embrace today knowing He will lead us to fulfill our purpose and truly enjoy our lives.
God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah and this is what He said to tell the people, “For I know the plans I have for you ‘declares the Lord’ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
God has a wonderful plan for our lives but we have to keep our eyes on Him and listen for His direction. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)
Jesus also said, “The thief comes to in order to steal kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)
As we follow Jesus, He will lead us into the life He had planned for us. But if we aren’t careful we can be tempted to allow the enemy to steal our joy and fill us with doubt. We can feel unworthy or think we have made too many mistakes or that we are too old, or that it’s too late we missed it. But as long as there is breathe in our lungs it’s not too late to begin again.
The most life-changing new beginning we will ever experience is when we become a new creation in Christ. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The new life that is spoken of here is one of a personal intimate relationship with Jesus. As we follow His lead, we will experience a life that is transformed by the power of God. The same God who empowered Peter and 3.000 people were saved is the same God who will empower you to fulfill your destiny.