God of Second Chances!

Why doesn’t God just give up on us? Have you ever wondered about that? I ’m very glad He doesn’t. His patience is a marvelous attribute. And that patience is prompted by His great love for us. However, though we should be encouraged by this characteristic His patience is something we dare not take for granted as though it were endless. God continues to extend an invitation to the world to come into a relationship with Him and live to serve His purposes. But how many times do we serve God’s purposes with a reluctant spirit? Still, He amazes us by continuing to be ready to use us. Remember the reluctance of Moses to be God’s spokesman before Pharaoh. (note Exodus 3:11-22; 4:1-17) Yet God used him in a powerful way.

Jonah, also, was a reluctant servant of God. After he was delivered from his three days and nights in the great fish we read...
“(1) Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the SECOND TIME, saying, (2) ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.’ (3) So JONAH AROSE AND WENT to Nineveh, ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.” ( Jonah 3:1-3 ESV)

Jonah had turned away from God’s first call. Couldn’t God have chosen someone else? Yes! Why didn’t He? I don’t know. But I am encouraged by the fact God does give SECOND CHANCES. When Jonah received the call to go the second time, he obeyed. It was still with some reluctance (note Jonah 4:1-2), but he did go, did preach, and did fulfill the mission God gave him.

Though we should aim to grow in our faith and an eager willingness to be involved in God’s work, we ought to be encouraged that God is willing and able to work through us even in the midst of our quirks and weaknesses. It is His power and the power of His Word that makes this possible. And that ought to encourage our eagerness all the more to know as we work His works it doesn’t all depend on our own abilities and strength. God will supply what is necessary for the tasks to which He calls us to be involved.

May we look to God to help us overcome our reluctance and willingly go and do as He bids us.

Have a great day READY AND WILLING FOR GOD’S USE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Jonah