3 September Exodus 34

God is the God of Second Chances

After Moses prayed for God to spare the Jews from building the golden calf, God showed that He was a God of second chances by offering to carve the Covenant of the Ten Commandments on stone tablets again. Exodus 34:1-4 (NIV) “The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.” So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands.

God is not only the God of second chances; He is the God of another chance. This is confirmed by:

Psalms 86:15 (ESV) “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”.

Micah 7:18 (ESV) “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”.

God does not want any to perish confirmed by 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”.

Jesus died so that you and I might be offered a second chance. Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”.

God gives us second chances because He gave us the most excellent second chance through His Son. God offers you another chance no matter where you are or what you've done. God says, "If you return to Me, I will return to you. If you ask Me, I will forgive and forget. If you let My Son, take your sins, He will remove them and make you pure and clean, like fresh snow." One step is important as noted in Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

If you've lost hope in yourself or someone else, may God's boundless love guide you toward His plan. Remember that we all need God's never-ending love, and we can find joy in a God who always gives us second chances.