God of Second Chances

OT: 2 Chronicles 36
NT: Matthew 23:29-39

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2 Chronicles 36: 14-16 — "...all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy."

We often fail to realize that there is only one second chance. Only once does it come along in our lives. What follow are third chances and fourth chances, and so on. Dare I say, most of us are probably on our three hundred thousandth chance! What is a chance? It is a pardon, an oversight, a moment of grace. Thankfully, God does not stop us at one mistake. If He did, we'd all never make it past the diaper stage! No, He is a gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love. He is just, no doubt, but also very, very patient.

Throughout the history of the nation of Israel, God gave His chosen people second, third, fourth, etc. chances. He sent prophet after prophet to warn the people of their sin and call them to repentance. However, the people largely rejected the prophets and continued to stray from God. They beat some prophets and killed others. And God's patience to His covenant people was not without end, so He finally pulled the curtain on the rebellious play and sent the king of Babylon to sack Jerusalem and carry away the leaders and aristocrats into captivity. Jerusalem was left in ashes. Thankfully, though, for the believer in Jesus Christ, God's grace and mercy are without end. He has chosen to accept the sacrifice of Jesus and sees you and me as people worthy of unlimited chances. Are there consequences for our sin? Sure there are. But we are not rejected by our Father. He still loves us the same and picks us up off our backsides, dusts us off, and pats us on the back to send us along our way.

Be God's.