Thoughts for Today:
This is perhaps my favorite Scripture. It is simple and straightforward -- and completely reassuring. How so? Because God didn't change His mind about Israel despite their short-comings, therefore He won't change His mind about me! Even if we're faithless, He remains faithful because He cannot deny His nature. 2 Timothy 2:19: "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.'"
In our passage today, Paul tells us "God's gifts and His call are irrevocable." That means, no matter how badly we mess up, God will continue to hang in there with us. Sometimes we might feel as if our sinfulness is too great, or perhaps we've been testing the mercy and patience of God in rebellion. We might even know that if we continue down these paths we will eventually feel the repercussions of our acts. However, even though we may not deserve it -- God's not through with us -- because the gifts and call of God are irrevocable. He doesn't take them back, no matter how off course we might become.
Let's take a moment and look at Peter. Peter swore he did not know Jesus. Why? Because a little girl said, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." (Matthew 26:71) Despite knowing Jesus is alive, Peter was so disgusted and thoroughly disappointed with himself that he went back to fishing. The same is true for us when we foul things up in our own lives: We go back to the same old places, habits, and former friends. And we too come up empty-handed. John 21:3: "So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing."
But then a voice calls out, "Put your net down on the right side of the boat." John 21:6b: "When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish." And what did they find when they got back to shore? That's right, fish roasting on the fire. The very thing they had gone in search of was right there in the hand of Jesus. John 21:12-13: "Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish."
Jesus then asked Peter, "Do you love me?" He didn't say, "Peter, you've really messed up badly so I'm going to put you on probation for a year." Rather, He said, "Feed my lambs...take care of my sheep...feed my sheep...and follow me!" (John 21:15-19) The Lord says the same thing to us when we've failed to live up to our responsibilities: "Get going again. Pick yourself up. Feed my flock. Do what you were doing before you digressed into sin." Only the Lord shows that kind of grace. Not people, schools, governments, review boards, or even churches. But Jesus does. He says, "Follow me, because my gifts and my call are irrevocable."
Questions to Ponder:
Are you in need of a second chance?
Have you just messed up your first one horribly?
Join the crowd. I am probably on my twentieth chance,
yet the Lord still finds a use and purpose for me.
Why?
Because His gifts and call are irrevocable! Isn't that great news?
How will you apply it today?
Is it time to get up and begin again?
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