Second Chances
Many people exit one year with great regret and disappointment. I always wondered if this was part of the reason so many people party all night on New Years Eve. God does not want to see His children living a life of regret and broken promises. I have always looked at the New Year celebration as one to rejoice in the fact that God has given me yet another chance to get it right. A do-over, you could say, to make a difference for God!
God gives second chances because it is His desire to take us from where we are and bring us to where He wants us to be. Look at how Jesus regarded Peter, Peter certainly needed a second chance…
(Mark 16:7) “But go, tell His disciples – and Peter – that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
One thing to remember about Peter is that he proudly proclaimed to be one of Jesus’ most reliable disciple. But when the rubber hit the road and crisis bore it’s ugly head, it was Peter who fled and also blatantly denied that he even knew Jesus (read Matthew 26:69-75). Peter failed not only Jesus, but he failed his fellow disciples and Peter failed himself. In the book of Luke, it says that Peter’s misery caused him to go and weep bitterly.
But God did not leave Peter where he was. It was never God’s intent for his child, Peter to stay in a state of regret and sorrow. Jesus took great compassion on Peter and gave him a second chance. Jesus took Peter aside to give him the opportunity to recommit his love and devotion to Christ and then the risen Christ chose Peter to be the publicist (the speaker) on the day of Pentecost!
It is a new year, I don’t know what the year 2019 will bring to you, but one thing that I do know is that God’s desire is to take you from where you are and bring you to where He wants you to be. To get there, you may have to go through some climatic circumstances, you may feel disappointment and you may have to struggle alittle but just as God gave Peter and the other disciples peace, He will do the same for you.
God wants to give you a second chance, will you let Him?
Some food for thought as we all begin a new year. Let’s go out and make it count for something, make it count for the Lord!
BLESSINGS. Laurie
@copyright2019 laurieadams
*find more of my devotions on my devotion page on facebook: womentakingastand.
I am thankful that I serve a God of second chances. May I show the love of God to everyone whom I come in contact with.
Happy New Year, Laurie.