Wednesday 5 September 2012

WANT A SECOND CHANCE?

READ: MICAH 7:18-19
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good things will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11).
Our God is a good God. He will not withhold anything good from those who serve him faithfully. Sometimes when one of his children has done wrong, he will expose that sin, expecting his child to repent. Whether that person repents or not, is up to him or her. God wants to give his children a second chance, but if we fail to make use the opportunity to repent, we drift away from him.
In 1 Samuel 3:16-18, Eli asked young Samuel what God had told him the previous night. Samuel informed his master that God was angry with him for not raising his children in strict compliance with God’s Word. Instead of repenting and asking for another opportunity to make amends, Eli said God was free to do what he wanted to do.
In 2 Kings 13:18-19, Elisha asked king Joash to strike the ground with his arrow, which he did three times. Then Elisha told him he should have done so many times more if he wanted complete victory over his enemies. The king did nothing to remedy the situation. He accepted the situation, just like Eli.
To fail once does not make you a failure. You are only a failure if you refuse to get up after you have fallen. Have you fallen? You can rise again. Luke 15:17-20 tells the prodigal son who fell, but later realised his foolishness. He refused to stay foolish, so he repented and returned to his father, asking his forgiveness. He was not only received with joy, but forgiven and completely restored.
Those who succeed in life are those who refuse to stay down. Within you, there is potential for greatness. Forget your past failures. You can have another chance and become what God has destined you to be.  
MEMORIZE: PSALM 84:11 –For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good things will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.