A Fresh Start

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 God , my God, I yelled for help

and you put me together.

3 God , you pulled me out of the grave,

gave me another chance at life

when I was down-and-out.

(THE MESSAGE)

Have you ever messed up?  Really messed up?  Have you done things that were so stupid that it was hard for others to forgive you?  Have you done things so disgraceful that you find it impossible to forgive yourself?  Most of us have been there.  At least once, and often more times than that.

As humans we have the capacity to make our own choices.  Even after we come to Christ, we get to perpetually,  "Choose you this day whom you will serve." Some days we choose God and we sow  good seeds that bring blessings.  Other days we sow bad seeds, and reap  a crop of corruption or destruction.  Humans are uniquely wired to chart our own destiny, or stink it up big time.

The good news is,  that there is another chance to be had.  You have not gone so far that His grace cannot reach down and pull you out of the pit in which you have fallen.   He can break that substance addition, pornography addiction, unholy ties in extramarital relationships, he can mend your relationships,  and he can deliver you from your explosive temper. God brings you good news today.  He wants to restore you.  No matter what you struggle with.

God wants to offer you a fresh start.  A clean slate.  The Bible says it best,

Ps 130:3-4

 

3 If You, Lord , should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.

NKJV

We all enjoy the New Year because it represents a clean tablet on which to write our lives.  But truthfully, unless something changes on the inside of us, New Year is just another day in the life. But when God gets a hold of us, he truly wipes the slate clean.  Every abominable, despicable sin is completely blotted out never to be remembered against us anymore.  Our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  Our nature is changed. We are reborn. 

 

Job 33:29-30
“God gives each of us chance after chance to be saved from death and brought into the light that gives life.” (CEV)

Isn't that good news?  He offers bona-fide, soul-cleansing forgiveness today.  No matter your past, Jesus' blood is potent enough to wash you white as snow!  People may not forgive so easily, but one thing is sure, you can be fully embraced in the arms of Jesus today.  You can be brand new.  You can face your future without fear or dread hanging over your head because he is offering you hope, acceptance and a joy-filled life.

Dear Lord, thank you for second chances.  Thank you that you do not "throw us away" when we mess up.  Cleanse me today, O God, and wipe my slate clean.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.