Second Chances

God definitely gives second chances. Actually, it’s lucky for me that God doesn’t just give second chances but third, fourth and one hundredth chances!

Jonah 3.1-10

Reference: v.1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.

Explore: Working in a primary school you get very adept at giving children a certain amount of chances. Often there are three chances and then a great consequence happens. If you are caught doing something wrong you may get a cross on the board next to your name. Once you had three of these then you would be moved to another classroom. But as a teacher you always had to explain what the rules were so the children knew the expectations.
Jonah has been totally disobedient to God. God said left and Jonah went right. And yet here we see that we worship a God of second chances. Not only does God give Jonah a second chance but He gives the whole city of Ninevah a second chance.

Application: I have a friend who thinks she has done something so wrong that she can’t even attend her church any more. It saddens me because the God I know definitely gives second chances. Actually, it’s lucky for me that God doesn’t just give second chances but third, fourth and one hundredth chances! No matter where we go or what we have done God truly desires to be in relationship with us. If we give ourselves to Him he will ‘have compassion upon us’ (v.10).

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your grace and forgiveness. May I live in the fullness of life following Your ways and sharing Your love. Amen.