Second Chances

God doesn't have to give us a second (or third or fourth) chance at things. 

Can you think of any examples in the Bible where God doesn't not give a second chance?

Uzzah tried to save the Ark of the Covenant from falling on the ground and God struck him dead (2 Samuel 6:6-7). Ananias & Sapphira did some shady business, lying about the amount of money they had given and God struck them dead (Acts 5:1-11). Remember Lot's wife (Luke 17:32)? (The teens came up with many more examples than I did!)

Sin deserves punishment. At any point in time, when we disobey God, he could strike us dead as well. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). That sounds terribly daunting. A pretty high standard. One mistake and you're done.

Luckily for us, that's not always the case. "The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth... who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished..." (Ex. 34:6-7). Aren't you thankful that God is gracious, that He is patient and will give us a second chance, even when He has every right to strike us dead?

In Jonah 2, God displayed His grace and mercy to Jonah by saving him from the sea (using some crazy methods, of course). As we pick up the story in Jonah 3, we see God giving Jonah a second chance to obey. Jonah has a choice, just like he did before. He does not have to obey. However, he realizes he won't make it far if he tries to run from God, so he goes to Nineveh and prophesies that they'll be destroyed in 40 days (Jonah 3:1-4).

The Ninevites hear this message and repent and do all sorts of fasting, mourning and praying (Jonah 3:5-9). They've heard this message preached numerous times, and they finally respond. The question is, is it too late? (Jonah 3:9).

God extends His grace and mercy yet again and does not destroy the city (Jonah 3:10). He gives the Ninevites a second chance to live for Him. Now that God has saved the Ninevites from destruction, they still have a choice. They do not have to live for God; they can revert back to their old ways.

Each of us has that same choice. The fact that you are alive means God has not struck you dead for the sins you have committed. He gives you chance after chance to live for Him. Will you take advantage of His grace and mercy and live how you want or will you obey Him? Jonah may not be the best role model in the Bible, but this is one thing he does correctly. God gives him a second chance, and he obeys.

Jonah was able to learn from his mistake. Do you learn from your mistakes or do you tend to repeat them over and over again?