Thank God for 2nd Chances
By: Maxine M.

Jonah 3:1
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time…thank God for 2nd chances
Proving He isn’t through with us when we fail and STILL loves us through difficult circumstances
That when we’re BORN AGAIN, we mature; becoming complete as life’s journey advances

Jonah had tried to run away from God’s call…going in the opposite direction
Extreme measures were used to bring about his repentance and the purpose of his selection
Finally he realized he didn’t have other options and was totally under God’s protection

But still he carried out his mission GRUDGINGLY…sincere love wasn’t his driving force
He was angry when God’s message was heeded…anger directed at God, of course
Hatred of his enemies controlled him, not understanding God’s compassion at their remorse

Peter is also and example of how a 2nd chance can be such a wonderful gift
From being an impetuous “take charge” kind of guy to a frightened denier his nature would shift
Oh how he took advantage of his 2nd chance to serve…loving words from Jesus his spirit would lift

Saul was a religious man, full of piety, but a BIGOT concerning the new WAY of life the disciples proclaimed
But by an UNFORGETTABLE encounter on the Damascus Road, his overly zealous nature was tamed
His 2nd chance turned his life & the world upside down, as Paul the Apostle he was renamed

Spreading the message that SALVATION can be obtained by ALL who can understand and comprehend
For ALL have sinned & fall short of God’s perfect standard, but this “broken” condition He can mend
So a 2nd chance to live eternally with our Lord is available at life’s end

With our faults and failures forgiven, sins removed and buried in a far remote sea
A restored relationship with the Savior…the purpose for which He died for you & me
And at the Rapture we’ll receive a 2nd chance at the perfect body…holy in every degree

So have YOU reached out, taken hold of this opportunity like a life preserving vest?
Ready to use that 2nd chance, prepared for all the “JUNK” in your life to be addressed
There’s nothing He won’t forgive if, in sincere faith, it’s all confessed

Please!! Take advantage of YOUR 2nd chance that He so willingly will give to you
Not only a 2nd chance, but numerous chances beyond measure, for His Grace every morning is new
Because like Jonah, we often run away when He calls or asks something we see too hard to do

But through His Holy Spirit, He strengthens, comforts and enables us to prevail
And even if we falter or stumble, He will pick us up telling us to start over again if we fail
Granting 2nd chances over & over again until we LEARN & submit like Jonah inside that whale

So start over!! Doesn’t that seem like the ultimate ideal way to go?
Our heart’s slate wiped clean of sin by His holy divine blood…complete pardon know
An assured future…so remember to thank Him for 2nd chances He graciously will bestow