It is often during that second chance that we begin to appreciate the opportunity we have been given. Many times, forgiveness plays a key role in second chances. This is key to a second chance in a relationship or marriage when things have become difficult. Perhaps you have been the one to give another person that second chance in a relationship.
Moses’ First Chance Did Not Go Well
When Moses was 40 years old, he saw how poorly his people, the Israelites, were treated. Although Moses was an Israelite, he had been raised in the court of the Egyptians as one of their own. When he was an infant, he was pulled out of a basket in the Nile where his mother had placed him to save his life from the Egyptians. The Egyptian Pharoah ordered all Hebrew male babies thrown into the Nile River at the time of Moses’ birth.
When Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, he killed the man. Moses had not waited on God’s plan or timing. To escape the wrath of Pharoah for this deed, Moses fled to the desert of Midian. He would spend the next 40 years in there as a shepherd, which was a far cry from being in the Pharoah’s court.
In the desert Moses grew in faith and humility. God would refine Moses for a greater purpose, but it would take 40 years. Forty in the Bible is a time of testing. When we have a failure like this, we may think that God can’t redeem this type of failure, or He will never give us a second chance.
Moses is Given a Second Chance
Moses was now 80 years old and was content to continue to be a shepherd, but God was going to call him into deeper things. God wanted more for Moses, and He would take the initiative to give him more.
Exodus 3:1One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied.[1]
God was calling Moses to a new assignment. His was to confront the Pharoah of Egypt in order to free the Israelite. Moses was given a second chance to free his people in a way that he could not have imagined 40 years earlier. God’s timing is always perfect. Moses had changed after being in the desert for 40 years and now was prepared for what God wanted him to do.
Jesus Gives Us a Second Chance
Have you placed your faith in Jesus, yet? If not, the Lord is giving you a second chance right now. Don’t let another day go by before asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. If you are a believer, be thankful you came to faith. How many times did the Lord call you before you responded to His call?
Remember God has more for you in your life and takes the initiative just as He did in the life of Moses in your life. Have an open heart to be led by the Holy Spirit and God’s word.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.[2]
When God surprises me with a second chance, it is amazing. To hear more, listen:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-a-call-for-moses
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.