Recovery Christian Center Daily Meditation - 4/2/13 - A God of Second Chances

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me." Luke 22:31-34 NLT

How many times have we made a promise to God only to either forget about it or change our minds only to be somehow confronted with it and then feel guilty? This is exactly what happens to Peter. He tells during the Last Supper Jesus that He is ready to go to prison and even die for his Master, but Jesus lets him know that he's making a promise he can't keep because by tomorrow morning and the rooster crowing 3 times, Peter will have denied Jesus three times.

The reason we know God is a God of Second Chances is that Jesus knew what was going to happen, warned Peter about it, and then when Peter slipped up God was still forgiving. Jesus even told Peter that after he messed up and then repented he should strengthen his fellow disciples.

What's powerful about this is that even though we fall short, even when we know we're going to fall short, God is faithful and forgiving to us and is still going to use us if we let Him. It doesn't matter what we've done, if we are sincerely repentant God will be our God of Second Chances.