"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Friday, August 25, 2023 - Day 237 - (Today’s Bible readings: Esther 2; Psalm 54; Colossians 3:17-4:6)
THE GOD OF THE SECOND CHANCE
The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh,... “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”... When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. (Jonah 31:6-10 ESV)
God gave the people of Ninevah second chance. From the king on down, they repented and God relented. They had their second chance.
Earlier in this book, Jonah was given a second chance. He had refused to go to Ninevah because he didn’t believe they deserved a second chance. God had Jonah tossed into the sea where a great fish swallowed him up. After three days, God had the fish toss Jonah back. Jonah got the message. He took his second chance and went to Ninevah.
In Christ, God has given you a second chance as well. Repent of your sins and believe that God has accepted Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for all of them.
1. Today Your mercy calls us
To wash away our sin.
However great our trespass,
Whatever we have been,
However long from mercy
Our hearts have turned away,
Your precious blood can wash us
And make us clean today.
(Today Your Mercy Calls Us, Lutheran Service Book #915)
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a second chance by sending Jesus to be my Savior. Please use me to share Your gift of the second chance with others who need this gift as much a I do. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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