The God of Second Chances

I trust that you journeyed with me through the last 8 Episodes on –the need to lay a firm spiritual foundation which is a prerequisite for a confident and victorious walk with God.

We are starting on a new series in this Episode with the theme—The God of Second Chances.

You would agree with me that we live at a time when people are quick to condemn, and criticize, quick to dismiss others when they blunder; and slow to pardon and offer restoration. Just one mistake can destroy a person’s reputation and goodwill. Just one failure can end a relationship, a career or a position in the Body of Christ.

The Core Message

The main point of our theme is that we serve a God of second and many more chances. So holding on to past mistakes, weaknesses and resentments would only rob us of the potential of a better future. And holding people down due to their past errors is contrary to God’ s expectation from us.

The Example of Jonah

The Book of Jonah which we shall be relying on in this series, reveals the truth that we serve a God of second chance.

The Book of Jonah consisting of 4 short chapters tells the story of God’s call on Prophet Jonah. God initially called him to go to Nineveh and warn the people of that City of impending judgment (Jonah 1:1–2). But instead of obeying God’s instruction, Jonah flee in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship to Tarshish.

Against God’s decision, Jonah decided that Nineveh—a violent and corrupt Assyrian capital did not deserve mercy. So those who argue that God forgives us only when we do not know what we are doing are not correct.

God sent a wind and violent storm on the sea which was so strong that the ship threatened to break up. When the Sailors got so terrified, they threw Jonah into the sea. When he was thrown into the sea, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. When he found himself in this pit, Jonah spent three days in prayer and repentance (Jonah 2). God answered Jonah and commanded the fish to release him.

So when Jonah disobeyed Him, God did not turn His back on Jonah or abandon him. He sent a storm—not to destroy Jonah, but to redirect him.

This is one of the clearest scriptural examples of God giving man a second chance. God did not replace Jonah or change His plan. Instead, He redirected Jonah, showing that failure does not disqualify a person from God’s purposes once a person repents.

A Story of Mercy and Grace

The Book of Jonah is not just a story about a fish and a man. It is a story about God’s mercy and Grace. Mercy and Grace shown a disobedient prophet. Mercy and Grace extended to a wicked city. Mercy and Grace extended to you and I and giving us second and more chances when we miss it and repent.

The message of the Book of Jonah is to show that we are not yet perfect. Fears, resentment, anger, unforgiveness, pride, even laziness will sometimes stop us from obeying God. We often resist the promptings and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit; whether to forgive someone, to speak the truth, to change a bad habit; take up difficult responsibilities; to let go of an argument or to be kind and generous to someone.

You may have rejected God’s instructions and gone the other way. Right now, you may be at a crossroad, knowing that you rejected God’s instructions to go in one direction and went in the other direction. But the calling of God is not fragile—it survives your failure, stubbornness and weakness. God does not abandon us. He pursues us.

Like Jonah, you need to pray and go back to God. He knows all about your imperfections. Your failure has not disqualified you from God’s plan and purpose for your life. God is in the business of second chances. His will is to steer you back on course, not because you are deserving, but because He is merciful and full of Grace.