The God of Second Chances

"David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife..." -Matt 1:6

We live in a pessimistic world. Regardless of how many motivational speakers and life coaches we hear, our society bombards us with negative messages. From a young age we are subconsciously led to believe that our past determines our future and habits create our identity. For example, we do not say a person "has a drinking problem" but most times we say "he/she is an alcoholic". The habit becomes the identity. So we walk through life carrying the invisible baggage of our sins and mistakes. But God is bigger than our choices & past failures, regardless of how bad it may seem (i.e. Saul became Paul). Sins & mistakes do not derail God's purpose for us. God's plan is not a rigid line from point A to B. Usually, as a result of our free will, it becomes a curvy road with detours along the way. And though some of these detours were not in the original outline of our lives, our God has made provision for each one, constantly "re-routing" us into His ultimate purpose. So whether our mistakes are big or small, the Lord has premeditated ways of using them for our good & His glory! So rest assured, burdened reader, that wonderful things happen when we entrust our future and destiny into the hands of a loving Father! 

A View from the Rearview Mirror.

Have you ever seen the movie "The Chronicles of Narnia"? Based on the series by C.S. Lewis, it is one of my favorite works of fiction! One of the most touching scenes happens when Aslan (the lion) rescues the rebellious boy Edmund from the enemy's camp. Though Edmund had proven himself a liar and traitor, endangering all of their lives while helping the enemy, Aslan chose to go into the white witch's camp to rescue Edmund and restore him back to his rightful place. As Edmund returns to his family ashamed for both his words and actions, he overhears Aslan tell the group the following poignant words, "What's done is done. There is no need to speak to Edmund about what is past". Do you know that that is what the Lord says about you? Our God did more than simply forgive our sins, He chooses to remember them no more (Isaiah 43:25). In doing so, God gives us a new beginning! Our lives may have many "wrong turns" and this world and its system can lure us into believing that who we once were is who we will always be. But the Gospel (the Good News) gives us hope. Hope that we can have a new beginning, life, and future. Because that is the true work of redemption, a brand new beginning (John 10:10). And if the Lord Jesus paid a very hefty price (His own life) to give us this amazing gift, who are we to keep reminding ourselves of our past if God remembers it no more?

Outfit Of The Day: Fig Leaves

It's always interesting for me to think that prior to the fall, both Adam and Eve were perfectly content to be in God's presence fully naked. Yet after they sinned, the pair immediately covered themselves in fig leaves (Gen 3:7). Far too often, we do the same.  Sin has a way of bringing shame into our lives & feelings of unworthiness in the presence of a Holy God. Yet God, knowing our past, present, and future selves completely, chose to forgive and redeem us despite any of this! So why should we hide when nothing can be hidden from His eyes? (Heb 4:13, Jer 23:24) Despite our sins & mistakes, God desires that we would fulfill the original purpose & calling on our lives! About a year after David committed adultery, he was confronted by Nathan the prophet who spoke a word of reproof against him. David, being a godly man, repented bitterly (Psalm 51). Yet as grievous as David's sins were, God did more than just forgive him, He restored him also. God never changed the original plan for his life. Though God had every right to strip the kingdom from David, the Lord never did. But how many times, after we've fallen short, do we wrongly assume that God's plans for us have changed, or worse been canceled?! Sin often causes us to doubt God's ability to use us again. We see ourselves as tarnished vessels incapable of repair and ready to be discarded. But God doesn't see us that way. When God looks at us, He sees the destiny planted in our hearts. A purpose He Himself plans to fulfill in us. Though our mistakes were not in the original blueprints, God doesn't throw away destinies or plans due to small or even major detours. He simply re-routes us to the intended destination. 

Can These Bones Live Again?

    I wish I could honestly say that I enjoy reading the genealogies found in God's Word. But most times I find myself reading through them quickly to get to the "good parts". But recently the Holy Spirit highlighted a passage that I had not really given much thought to before. As I read Matthew 1, the following words struck a chord with me, "David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife..." (vs 6). I immediately wondered why God chose to remind us of David's sin in this genealogy. Could not the verse not have read "whose mother was Bathsheba"? Why did the Lord remind us that Bathsheba lawfully belonged to Uriah and not the king? As I meditated on this, I believe the Holy Spirit brought an answer to my questions. God intentionally chose to write this in His Word so that future generations might know that even in our worst mistakes and failures, God can and will bring good out of it! Though it was never God's will that David take Bathsheba as a wife nor plan the murder of her husband, David did both. But instead of stripping the crown of his head, after a period of grievous mourning including the loss of a child, God granted the couple another baby...Solomon. It was this same Solomon who out of all of David's children replaced his father as king, built the Temple (a mission his father began), wrote 3 books of the Bible, and is recorded as the wisest man that ever lived. This child Solomon came out of a "detour" from God's original plan. Detours do not deter God from doing what He wants to do...God will always find another way. Solomon's life shows us this. That God will work all things for the good of those called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). And if God was able to repurpose David's faults, will He not do the same with you and me?

Final Words...

    Dear Reader, what area of your life have you hidden or been ashamed of? Is there a part of your life that believe God cannot use? Does your past cause you to feel unworthy to be used by a Holy God? You must know that there is nothing that you could ever do that would make God think or love you any less! The Lord desires to bring healing, restoration, and hope to your life. But we have a part to play in this. We must first open ourselves up to Him and accept His Heavenly invitation. So as you allow the Lord to bring healing into those inner crevices of your heart, you will experientially know how our precious Jesus rewrites your story and brings good out of bad and hope out of despair. As He does, you will find yourself falling ever so much more in love with Him and be happy to know that the sentiment is surely reciprocated! Please meditate on the following verse today: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jer 29:11) The Lord loves you more than you can imagine!

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