Jonah 3:1 – 2: The God of Second Chances

Jonah 3:1 – 2 “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.'”

Have you ever messed up big-time, and wished you could have a do-over?

I have. Plenty of times. Sometimes, in the little things like a friendly game of checkers or softball, we might be able to wrangle enough sympathy out of our peers to let us try again. But in the big things in life, like a championship tournament, we rarely get second chances.

Or so it seems.

But I’m here to tell you, friends, that God isn’t keeping score! He gives second chances. And third chances and fourth chances . . . His goal isn’t to beat us. His goal is to see us succeed in becoming who He created us to be. His goal is to watch us fulfill His purpose in our lives.

At times, life can feel like a live, one-act play. We get one shot at that particular audience, and if we fail, they (God) will boo us off the stage. But with God, our lives are more like movie-making. When we mess up, He lets us try again.

That’s why He gave Jonah a second chance at obedience. He didn’t want Jonah to die in that fish’s belly, and He didn’t want Jonah to live the rest of his life feeling like a failure. So He got out his black-and-white film clapper and said, “Take two.”

Is there something in your life that you’ve messed up? Have you made a choice that has landed you in a big-ol’ smelly mess of fish intestines? Hang on, my friends. There is hope. The God of second chances knows exactly where you are. He sees you. And He’s got plenty of film left.

Dear Father, Thank You for giving me second and third chances when I mess up. Help me to listen to You and obey, so I get it right next time.

Amen