The word today is second. We have a loving God who gives us second, third…..ninety chances.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
Psalm 86:15 says it well: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Micah 7:18 says, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.”
Background.
In Exodus 34, God tells Moses to chisel a second set of tablets to bring them to God. God was willing to write on the second set of tablets what was written on the first tablets. If you remember Moses was angry with the Israelites for asking for the golden calf and then for sacrificing and worshiping the idol that when he saw this he dropped the first set of tablets. Starting in verse 4, Moses presents himself to God early in the morning with the second set of tablets. Moses worships God on Mount Sinai.
I love this part of the story. Moses was angry at the people. He reacted in anger threw down the tablets and they were broken. But God restored the relationship and fellowship with Moses. God is a god of second chances. The above verses emphasize that God is a loving God slow to anger. God is abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
My five-minutes of thoughts on the word second.
Tracie Miles new book Your Life Still Counts was released today. This book is about how God can use your past to give you a beautiful future. A book about second chances. My weight loss journey is in this book. I have had second and third chance at weight loss as I had lost and regained weight for many years. In October 2011, I cried out to God and began my journey to health and weight loss for the last time. I was 233 pounds. In July of 2012 after many months of preparation, I had a surgical procedure to help me lose the weight. I made a rock solid decision to never over eat again. Now I know that I have to eat to live but I do not live to eat. There are so many amazing stories in this book. Tracie shares how a decision she made when she was young led to much heart ache and shame. There are twenty women’s stories one per chapter in this amazing book of God’s redemptive plan. I am at goal weight and I know that God redeems us and loves us and gives us second chances. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7
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