Sometimes, when you have made mistakes, it's hard to believe that you can have a turnaround in your life. But you can have a second chance, especially when you discover that God is the God of the Second Chance.
In the Bible we read of how many people had a second chance. Moses went into hiding for years after killing someone, but he ended up as the great leader of his people. David was so scared of His enemies that he pretended he was crazy but he became Israel’s greatest King. Peter denied the Lord but not long after he became a bold leader of the church. One of the greatest examples in the Bible showing us how we can have a second chance is seen in the story of Jonah.
Of course, some critics regard the book of Jonah as a fiction but the Christian church through the ages, from Augustine, Calvin and Luther have always been convinced of its historical accuracy. Jesus himself accepted this story as true. In Matthew 12:40 He says: 'For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish so the Son of Man will be three nights in the heart of the earth.’ We see that Jonah had a second chance, and as we look at this story we can see how we can have one also:
1. Jonah needed a second chance
a. Jonah disobeyed God (Jonah 1:3)
b. Jonah hit a big storm (Jonah 1:4-5 and Jonah 1:11-12)
c. Jonah ended up in a dark and desperate place (Jonah 1:17; Jonah 2:5&7)
2. Jonah really asked God for a second chance (Jonah 2:1,4,7,9-10; Lamentations 3:22-23)
3. Jonah made the best of his second chance (Jonah 3:1-3)
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Do you need a second chance in life? Are you in a desperate place where you need God to help you? Jonah needed a second chance. He had made a big mistake and ended up in a lot of trouble. Jonah disobeyed God when God asked him to go and speak to the Ninevites, this violent Assyrian Empire, to warn them that if they didn’t change their ways they will be punished. But when God said go, Jonah said no. In fact Jonah ran away from the Lord (Jonah 1:3), deliberately rebelling against God, and went in the opposite direction that God had said. Then Jonah hit a big storm (Jonah 1:4-5, 11-12) and he ended up in a dark and desperate place (Jonah 1:17, 2:5&7). Jonah was in a miserable situation. His decisions had led him into this very dark place – where there seemed no way out. Maybe you too have done your own thing and hit a storm. Maybe you never imagined that you would end up in the situation that you find yourself in right now. It’s important that you recognize the position you are in; far from God and in trouble. You need help. But when you do recognise this, things will start to change. Jonah had to acknowledge that he messed up and needed a second chance.
Are you trying to sort your problems out yourself or are you really asking God for His help in every situation? Jonah really asked for a second chance (Jonah 2:1). In his desperation Jonah called out to God. He really prayed. He promised to ‘look to God’ (v4). He remembered the Lord (v7). He promised to fulfil his vows to the Lord and to depend on God to save him (v9). He really prayed from his heart with great sincerity and humility. Jonah wasn’t proud thinking 'I got myself here, I’ll get myself out'. He understood that God alone could help him in his need. And the Lord listened to his cry for help (Jonah 2:10). Once out of the fish, Jonah probably needed a lot of cleaning up but even so God had set him free. He was out of prison! And God will set you free when you really call on Him. Like a new born baby you may also need a lot of cleaning up, but you can be sure that God will bring you out of your darkness. For as Lamentations 3:22-23 says “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail". No matter how much of a mess you have been in, you too like Jonah can experience the mercy of God and have a second chance.
Are you ready to make the best of the second chance God is giving you? 'The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time…' (Jonah 3:1-3) and this time Jonah obeyed. Jonah got his second chance and so he went to Nineveh and preached the message God gave him. As a result, incredibly, this wicked city and its rulers listened to him and everyone turned to God. When you make the decision to follow God wholeheartedly, He can open up and restore many opportunities you believed were lost. He can use you in many ways you could never imagine. Today, don’t dwell on your past mistakes and sins. You can have a second chance. You can see a total turnaround in your life. You can be used of God to bless many people. But it all starts when you stop going your way and start to obey God. Now is your moment to really pray to him and see God answer your prayers.
