Have you ever had one for those days when you feel like you said the wrong thing or didn’t do what’s right? You know those days when you’re just down on yourself for whatever reason – maybe it was a major screw up – we’ve all been there.
“This is how we know we are Christians. It will give our heart comfort for sure when we stand before Him. 20 Our heart may say that we have done wrong. But remember, God is greater than our heart. He knows everything.” I John 3:19-20 NLV
God isn’t condemning us, He loves us and is cheering us on in this journey. After all, He sent His Son to die for us, proving His great love!
I worked with a woman once who made a big mistake and our boss ridiculed her in my presence. He was merciless; she was embarassed and filled with shame. He left for lunch and my heart told me I needed to say something to her, something that would help bring a solution.
She had been out of the room, crying, and when she returned I asked her a question. “What is the name on your birth certificate?” Odd question right? It took her off guard and she answered with her name. To which I replied “Thank goodness. For a minute there I was thinking that it must have read “G-o-d” because Dr. ______ was acting like that’s who you were and should never have made a mistake”. She smiled and we began to work on a solution.
The first step was talking to our employer. I confronted him and told him he was wrong and if he wanted to fire me for speaking up he could but that he shouldn’t be treating people that way. I didn’t get fired, he apologized, things worked out and he and I became good friends.
That was a situation where her heart was condemning her but it was also a opportunity for God’s love to bring peace.
We all need second chances and God is the master of the second chance.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT
The Lord corrects when we are wrong. He doesn’t allow us to continually sin and not be corrected but His correction is wrapped in love and tied with mercy and grace.
“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?” Hebrews 12:7-9 NLV
Since none of us are perfect there is a time that we all need correction. The Apostle Paul wrote that God’s word is profitable for our correction, reproof and instruction in right living. One thing I am certain of – God, the Father, is not an abusive parent. Everything He does in our lives is based on His love.
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 NLT
If God is for us, who can be against us? Yes, God is the master of the second chance.
