“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.” Jeremiah 32:37-41

Many times my children like to be reassured of my love for them, as most children often do. It is an innate need that they have- to know how much they are loved. I had this conversation with my son today (many of you have probably had the same conversation, maybe while your child is in trouble or feeling a little insecure)- he asked me if I loved him, and I assured him I do. He responded, “Even when I have an ugly attitude?” and I responded, “Of course. I will always love you, regardless of your ugly attitude or bad choices. There is nothing you can do or will do to make me stop loving you.” Sound familiar? I have this conversation a lot with my kids. They always crawl out of my lap with a huge smile on their faces, feeling confident in my affection for them, even after an infraction or being disciplined. The discipline is not fun, but is necessary- but so is the reassurance that the need for discipline in no way hinders my love for them.

I wonder when it is in the growing-up process that we lose that ability to trust so confidently in someone’s love for us?  I have often written about the failings of human beings to live up to our expectations or even needs- and many times, we fail to live up to our own expectations of what we think other people need from us, causing us to question our worth or the infallibility of their love for us. As adults, we often have a hard time accepting the nature of love, just because. Love, without end. Love that never fails. (At least, we have a hard time accepting it for ourselves, but find it easy to give to our children.) That is a major reason why people have a problem trusting in God- the instability of human love causes us to question how anyone, much less a holy God, could possibly love us without end and without reason. Sometimes we have such a hard time loving ourselves that THAT kind of love seems impossible. Sometimes we think that the things we do or have done can only mean that God’s love is not for us, and never could be- that it is only for those who deserve it.

While I was working on my Bible study recently, I ran across the passage at the beginning of this post. I am making my way through the book of Jeremiah in the OT. I have just come through Isaiah, an entire book about God wooing Israel and Israel continually turning their back and betraying Him. How unlovable they seem! Then I get to Jeremiah, which admittedly is a tough book to get through- God is pretty much fed up with the behavior of His chosen people- the broken covenants, the false gods, the false teaching- and decides to discipline them. And the discipline is harsh, as it takes a lot to get through to people with centuries of disobedience and stubbornness under their belts. But there, in the middle of the book, I come across this gem- God, in His righteous anger, is telling them that He LOVES them, unconditionally. That He wants the BEST for them and their children because of that love, and that He will do what it takes to get their attention. In the middle of the discipline, in the middle of His anger, there is mercy and forgiveness and love. He hints then at what the entire OT is pointing to- Jesus. Even after centuries of Israel’s defiance, He gives them Jesus- the ultimate gift act of forgiveness from a loving God.  Does this mean that He stops disciplining their bad behavior and disobedience? No, a loving parent does not ignore the disobedience of their children. They correct it for the good of the child. The point is that God continues to pour out love on His (VERY) undeserving children- and He still does. He gives them second chances- and third chances, and fourth chances, and so on- offering them every opportunity to GET it. To accept it.

There are many notable incidents in the Bible of God giving second chances to people who are, for all intents and purposes, too far gone to be forgiven by a holy God.
-Adam and Eve: (Genesis 3) The very first people on earth engaged in the very first sin. They did the one thing that God asked them to NOT do, and they had consequences- they had to leave the Garden and would experience hard work, pain, and ultimately death. However, instead of doing away with this creation immediately, God still saw them as a worthy creation and multiplied them throughout the world.

-Cain: (Genesis 4) Cain, in a jealous fit of rage, murdered his brother and then tried to hide it from God. God disciplined him for his sin- but in the midst of his discipline, God put a “mark” (literally “sign” or “promise”) on Cain that would keep him safe during his life. His mercy kept Cain alive.

-Peter: (Luke 22:54-62) One of Jesus’s most devoted disciples, Peter was beloved despite his big mouth and propensity for sticking his foot in it. After Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Jesus three times- after assuring Jesus of his devotion. Peter was heartbroken by his denial. Jesus appeared to Peter and his other disciples after his resurrection, and in John 21:15-19, Jesus spoke to Peter. Having obviously forgiven him for his denial, Jesus commissioned Peter to go out and “feed My sheep”- a huge mark of favor and mercy. Peter went on to become instrumental in the spreading of the Gospel in the early church (Acts), and even died a martyr’s death for following Jesus.

-Paul: (Acts) Saul was a Pharisee- a Jewish man educated in Jewish tradition and law, who zealously persecuted the early church. Acts 8:3 says “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” In chapter 9 Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus (this was after the crucifixion and resurrection), and was converted by the experience. His name was changed to Paul, and he then zealously preached Christ and the Gospel, and because of Paul and his ministry and work, people are still being converted and entering into a relationship with Jesus today. Paul authored much of the NT.

These are just four stories- there are many more recorded in the Bible, and countless incidents throughout history. Each day is a second chance for those who believe in Him. Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’”.  Just as I feel glad that each day gives me a new chance to do things “right” with my kids, I am also reassured that each day is a chance to glorify God and move my life into accordance with His will. And if I blow it? Tomorrow is another day, and God is a God of second chances for those who love Him. Including me.

Just as we offer second chances to our children, just as we discipline them but love them regardless, so God treats us- and how much more! “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103:13) “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-5) “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shalle be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:38-39)