One of my favorite people in the Bible is Peter. You know why? Because in spite of messing up several key times in his life, he made a wonderful comeback and God used him mightily. Peter encourages me to know that we serve the God of second chances.
That’s what I’m talking about, because many of you need a second chance. But you may be thinking that it’s too late or you’ve made one mistake too many or God is just fed up with you and has put you on the shelf. Well, think of Peter.
He was always making a big splash about his commitment to the Lord. I’ll follow you anywhere; I’ll never forsake you; I’ll never deny you; I’ll even die for you. Those are the kind of bold public statements he made to Jesus. But let me remind you of his failures:
· He was rebuked by Jesus as a tool of Satan: "Get thee behind me, Satan," Jesus said to him when he offered Jesus bad advice.
· He was going to build tabernacles to commemorate the transfiguration, and God spoke from heaven and said "Please, Peter, be quiet and listen to Jesus." Peter had a major problem with foot-in-mouth disease.
· He made a big splash by trying to walk on water and going under instead.
· He tried to cast out demons like Jesus did and failed.
· He went to sleep when he should have been praying—even on the night of Jesus’ betrayal.
· But worse than all those—much worse—he openly denied his Lord three times while Jesus was going through the humiliating ordeal of a mock trial. When he should have stood up and been counted, he turned coat and fled.
Why would Jesus choose Peter to be a disciple? He blew it time and time again. Yet this braggadocios bombastic big mouth became one of the greatest spokesmen for Jesus and the early church. Jesus gave him many second chances.
Have you been talking the talk but not walking the walk? I want you to know that God is waiting to give you a second chance—again. Maybe you’re thinking of how you blew your testimony on your job recently and you figure there’s no way to recover. God has a second chance for you. You can’t mess up so badly that God can’t salvage you.
Don’t underestimate the power of the God of second chances. Remember Peter, and ask God to do for you what he did for him. He’s the same God and he loves you as much as he loves Peter. Go for it!