God wants to give you a second chance and when that happens, grab it with both hands!

When Bathsheba ended her time of mourning after her first born died, she became pregnant again, Salomon was conceived, he was an extremely bright child full of wisdom and piety, devoted to God and successful as the King of Israel. Bathsheba and David were allowed a second chance to rear a child with many pleasures and happiness. Bathsheba saw her son progress and soar to become the greatest king Israel had ever known. Her pain was healed through him and she could find closure from the incident with Uriah and David. (1 Kings 2 : 12). The Westminster confession of Faith Chapter 5 par 5 is a huge consolation and inspiration in our lives: “In the fullness of his wisdom, righteousness, and grace; God often allows his children to be tempted in various ways and for a time to pursue the corruption of their own hearts. God does this to chastise them for their previous sins and to reveal to them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness in their hearts, so they may be humbled. In addition to various other just and holy results believers are thereby raised to a closer more constant dependence on God for their support and are also made more alert in detecting and resisting opportunities to sin.” (Westminster confession: 1648). Almost always after a lapse in faith and grievious transgression believers will be more devoted and committed to the Kingdom of God afterwards.

Jesus once met a woman who was accused of adultery. The doctors of religion brought her to him in order to set him a trap, they wanted to hear what he had to say about her transgression. In those days it was the custom to stone a woman who was found guilty of sleeping around. The people who testified against her and had first-hand knowledge of the crime would then throw the first stone. Jesus waited for a long time before he spoke. He was writing something on the ground, those who brought the woman to him became uneasy and restless.

The mob was convinced about the guilty verdict of this woman. They were there to execute the girl and nothing else. Jesus spoke in a calm and clear voice, “Those of you who have no sin you can cast the first stone.” There was a long silence. Nobody in the crowd was without sin so they started to leave one by one. Eventually Jesus and the woman were alone, all the others had gone. Jesus then asked the girl, did nobody judge you? She said “No one”, so Jesus concluded “Nor do I”, go and sin no more. This young woman was allowed a second chance! Jesus said the following in Luke 7 : 47 “Whoever has been forgiven little shows little love, but she who was forgiven many sins shows great love!”

Another man who was allowed a second chance was Moses. His second chance turned out to be the best part of his life and the most productive. He once killed an Egyptian man while the Jews were in slavery in Egypt. His act was so serious he had to flee the land and ended up in a barren desert area. There, unemployed, penniless and devastated he sat at a watering hole hoping for some consolation and help. He lost everything, he couldn’t believe what had happened to him, he was depressed, down and out. Moses had been brought up as a royal prince in Egypt with all the privileges attached to such a position. After his mistake and criminal act he was exiled as a murderer and persona-non-grata in Egypt! He lost everything because he murdered somebody. In modern times Moses would have been severely punished for his crime.

Fortunately for him he was allowed a second chance! As a totally unemployed and poor man he met his future wife and family at a watering hole. Because of his good heart and noble character he helped some young women to water their flock. When their father heard of this man, he called for him and welcomed him to his house. He was given Sippora as a wife and became part of a family again. In Ancient Eastern terms this alone was a miracle, no man would give his daughter to a poor stranger without family or kin. Moses’s family could not be traced or contacted but he was allowed to have a wife even when he had nothing. (Exodus 2 : 21 – 22)

God and life are very good to us, we always are allowed second chances. Always be ready for a second chance and be sure not to squander it. Be ready and good, be patient and repentant, God will help you. Thanks to this kind family, Moses could start a second life as a herdsman and employee of his father-in-law, who as it turned out, was a priest as well.

His actual job came as he was called by God to become the leader of his slave nation, he redeemed them from the Egyptians and led them into Israel after wandering for 40 years in the desert. His devotion to God and piety is still in great regard and is a huge inspiration for us today. Moses went on to be not only an outstanding leader to his people but also an ordained spiritual leader and revered writer, many of his manuscripts are still read today.

If Moses had continued to mourn his misfortune and had stayed depressed because of what he had lost in life he would probably have died in the desert or been killed by a wild animal. He however chose to be of use in a foreign country and it paid off very well for him.

It is no use chastising yourself all the time and losing interest in life, you have to grab every second chance with vigour and energy! While sulking many opportunities will just fly by without noticing. If you stay alert and watchful you will find a new life with new possibilities and exciting prospects! A Prophet once said the following: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed (by our mistakes), for his compassions never fail they are new every morning” Lamentations 3 : 22 – 23, So look for second chances and grab them with both hands.

In Lifestyle22 we believe everybody deserves a second change and when available grab it with both hands.