The God of Second Chances

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” (Jonah 3:1,2)

It is very common among people, after disobeying God’s commandments, to fall in despair and to enter into a cycle of hopelessness and gloom. During this period, believers fail to remember God’s mercy and compassion but acquire an overall feeling of worthlessness and a sense of being trapped. The problem is often compounded when it seems that this habit or behavior is reoccurring and it is becoming extremely difficult to break out of that cycle. Over and over, I’m faced with individuals who express this frustration and ask the questions: Is there any hope for me? Is God ever going to forgive me? What if I end up doing it again?

As I journeyed through the Holy Scriptures, I noticed two reoccurring themes that keep arising throughout the Bible in its two Testaments. First, humans’ failure to fully comprehend and fulfill God’s law; second, God’s continuous faithfulness, dedication, forgiveness, and acceptance to His Children despite their weaknesses. In short, every time we mess up, He is there willing to renew His covenant with us and to give us a second chance.

From the beginning, God’s commandments to Adam and Eve were very clear and there was no pressing reason for them to disobey Him. God said: “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Gen 2:16). When they were deceived by the cunning serpent and fell into defiance, the Lord in His loving kindness did not abandon them but gave them a second chance in the promise of Salvation when His only begotten Son will bruise the head of Satan and trample him on Calvary ( Genesis 3:15).  This promise was indeed fulfilled as the Lord died and rose on the third day and restored Adam and his children once more to paradise (Resurrection song). I’m also amazed at the compassion and patience which God showed towards His children in the wilderness of Sinai. After saving them from the Egyptians with a mighty and powerful hand, Israel believed in Him as their redeemer (Exodus 14:30,31). Yet, very quickly their hearts turned against God as they forgot that mighty wonder of crossing the Red Sea and started worshipping the golden Calf and saying: “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:4). I imagine, as a human being, if I was placed in this situation, surely I would have caused this rebellious and unfaithful people to perish – but not our loving God!! He spoke with His servant Moses and declared His fatherly and compassionate heart towards His children saying “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6,7). O, how amazing is the love of our heavenly Father who is willing to give a second chance to a stiff-necked people who had no consideration for the covenant which He had established with them.

In the case of St. Peter, our Lord Jesus had forewarned him that before the rooster crows he will deny Him three times (Matthew 26:34). When the prophecy of denying the Lord was fulfilled, St. Peter went out and wept bitterly (v.75). After the resurrection, the Lord came to him specifically and reassured him of His continuous love to him despite his weakness and denial.  Our Lord said to Peter “Do you love Me ... feed my lambs” (John 21:15). Christ saw in him a great potential that others around him didn’t recognize. It was true that a great disciple had fallen in sin but that was not the end of the story because once he was granted a second chance then he would be a humble apostle who will also have compassion on other sinners. St. Peter, once he had repented after tasting the sweetness of a loving and caring God, would be able to endure hardships and persecution for the sake of Him who gave him a second chance.

Beloved, let us never think that God has given up on us or abandoned us. His promises are eternally true “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:15, 16). No matter how far we are from Him, no matter how much we have resisted Him in the past, and no matter how we continue to view ourselves, He still sees us as His beloved children whom He has shed His precious blood on their behalf and He still wants us back. He is calling us every day with a compassionate voice saying “Return to Me and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7). 

While you and I are on our journey back to the Lord, we should also consider giving one another that same privilege which we have received from the Lord. If I have truly tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord, I will automatically want others to drink from the same fountain of divine love. Let us pray that we would give others who hurt us in the past a second chance that they may see God’s forgiveness in action in the lives of His followers. By that, people will know that we are children of the most high if we can extend God’s grace to one another.

Heavenly Father, the source of divine love and compassion, I thank you for your grace and forgiveness .. I thank you Lord for giving me yet another chance despite my betrayal to your covenant. Lord give me a new heart this time not to return back to sin but to live a true repentant life and to enjoy living in your care .. give me assurance Lord of your love to me and to all humanity that I may not fear you but love you .. grant me my God a compassionate heart like yours that I may give others also a second chance to see in me your forgiveness and pardon. In Your precious name I pray and through the intercession of Your holy mother the Virgin Mary; Amen.

Fr. Pishoy Salama