One of my favorite songs is Chances by Isaac Carree. The lyrics of the chorus are:
“Lord, I promise this is really the last time
We’ve all said these words.
Sorry for not praying, it must have slipped my mind.
I never wanted You to hurt.
If You get me out of this one,
I’ll never do it again
When will I learn my lesson?
What would life be if I ran out of chances?”
This is a song that resonates with me because I am constantly “promising” God if He fixes this “whatever” I will do better the next time. Fortunately, God does not keep track of how many times I make that statement because He is faithful to His covenant to us regardless of how faithful we are to the same covenant. God told Isaiah,”I, even I, am He that wipes out your transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25). Even though God wipes the transgressions out, I still fall into sin over and over again. So why does God keep giving me chances?
The Word of God for this post comes from Proverbs 24:16
“For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
And Jonah 1:1-2; 3:1-2
1:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah saying; 1:2 Arise, go to Ninevah
3:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying; 3:2 Arise, go to Ninevah
A few nights ago, I was catching up with one of my best friends and we were talking about all the chances God gives us to get our act together, to do the right thing, to fix what we have messed up, and so on and so on. The wise King Solomon in the passage from Proverbs explains the fall as something that is going to happen. The take home message for us is that the righteous man and the wicked man are the same in that they both fall. The righteous man and the wicked man both struggle, lose sight of things, and even fall prey to their individual demons. However, the difference is how each of these men responds to the fall. The wicked falls and stays fallen but the righteous embraces and, makes the most of, the opportunity God gives him to rise up again. Jonah was called by God a second time to minister to Ninevah even after rebelling and eventually running from God’s calling for his life. Many of us can relate to Jonah and have found ourselves running from God’s calling only to find that God is faithful to His calling for us even when we are unfaithful. The wise King Solomon said that “a living dog is better than a dead lion.” (Ecclesiastes 9:4). In short, no matter how much of a “dog” I am, as long as I am living, God is giving me a chance to fulfill His purpose for me. I am comforted today that not only do we serve a God of another chance but we also serve a God who gives us the tools and the encouragement to continue in His calling.
Becoming the Man I am Called to Be 
Reblogged this on and commented:
It is true God continues to give us chance after chance. God’s forgiveness and grace allows us the opportunity to grow and mature. This causes us many times to receive God’s word through our struggles; therefore, the righteous person bounces back because he or she understands God’s promises. However, the wicked refuses to understand and if he or she does fells to obey because of the pleasure he or she enjoys throughout the process.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In reading your blogs I was quite surprise of how insightful you were in interpreting scripture. I too will enjoy and gain much pleasure in working with you as God fearing man. Therefore, thank you for lifting my spirit and stimulating my mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a woman, I’m thankful for your honesty in revealing how as a man you’ve fallen short. As a person, a Christian, falling short is part of learning & depending on God. We often forget how God promised never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) because we are ashamed of our shortcomings. I, too, thank God for second & many chances. Your blog is welcoming and again, your honesty is appreciated. Honesty shows growth. Growth produces the fire needed to continue to strive for better.
LikeLiked by 1 person