How God Gives Second Chances and Calls Us

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Sovereignty and Compassion: The God of Second Chances

God is sovereign over all creation and extends compassion and second chances to those who have failed, just as He did with Jonah. No matter how far someone has run or how deeply they have fallen, God’s mercy is not exhausted, and He does not define people by their past mistakes. Instead, He calls them again, offering a fresh start and a renewed purpose, reminding them that His steadfast love and mercy are new every morning. [13:17]

Jonah 3:1-3 (ESV)
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God offering you a fresh start or a second chance, and how will you respond to His call today?

Day 2: God’s Mercy Is New Every Morning

God’s steadfast love and mercy never run out, no matter how much someone feels they have failed or exhausted His grace. Even when people feel burdened by guilt or past mistakes, God’s covenant love remains unbroken, and His mercies are renewed each day, inviting everyone to live in the freedom and hope of His forgiveness. [11:03]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Reflection: When you feel weighed down by your past, how can you remind yourself of God’s new mercies today and step forward in His forgiveness?

Day 3: God’s Concern for All People, Even the Wicked

God’s compassion is not limited to those who seem deserving; He cares deeply for all people, even those who are far from Him or have committed great evil. Just as He sent Jonah to the wicked city of Nineveh, God’s heart longs for the redemption of every person, and there is no one whose heart is too hard or whose sin is too great for His mercy to reach. [23:00]

Jonah 3:4-5 (ESV)
Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

Reflection: Who in your life seems farthest from God’s mercy, and how can you pray for and extend compassion to them today?

Day 4: God Reveals Himself Through Creation and Christ

God reveals Himself to all people through the beauty and order of creation, but He has made Himself known most fully through Jesus Christ, the ultimate special revelation. While nature points to God’s existence and power, it is through Christ that people come to know God’s heart, His love, and the way of salvation, reminding us that God is both transcendent and intimately involved in our lives. [04:24]

Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV)
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

Reflection: As you observe the world around you today, how does creation point you to God’s glory, and how does Jesus reveal God’s love to you personally?

Day 5: God’s Commission: Called to Be a Light to the Nations

God calls His people not to keep His mercy to themselves but to be witnesses and a blessing to all nations, just as Israel was meant to be and as Jesus commands His followers. Every believer is commissioned to live as a representative of Christ, sharing His love and message with those around them, not just in special moments but as a way of life, trusting that God can use even imperfect people to accomplish His mission. [29:03]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can be a witness for Jesus in your community or relationships this week?

Sermon Summary

The story of Jonah is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty, compassion, and relentless pursuit of His people. God is in control of all things—storms, fish, nations, and even the hearts of the most rebellious. No one can escape His reach, and no one has out-sinned His mercy. God’s love is not reserved for a future, improved version of ourselves; He loves us at our worst, and Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This is the heart of the gospel: God’s steadfast love and mercy are new every morning, and His faithfulness never fails.

God reveals Himself in two primary ways. First, through general revelation—His creation, which declares His glory and power so clearly that no one has an excuse for unbelief. But general revelation is not enough for salvation. For that, we need special revelation: God’s direct communication through His Word, His prophets, and ultimately, through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His being, and the ultimate revelation of God’s heart for humanity.

Throughout Scripture, God’s pattern is to give second chances—not just to Jonah, but to Moses, David, and Peter. Each of these men failed in significant ways, yet God’s compassion and mercy met them in their brokenness and called them forward into renewed purpose. God does not define us by our failures; rather, He calls us to remember who we are in Christ—redeemed, forgiven, and commissioned.

God’s concern is not limited to His people alone. He cares deeply for the lost, even those who seem most undeserving of mercy, like the people of Nineveh. His heart is for all nations, and He calls His people to be a light to the world, not to hoard His grace but to share it. This is our commission: to be witnesses of His mercy, to live lives that reflect His love, and to carry the message of hope to those who need it most.

We may not always understand God’s ways, especially when He extends mercy to those we find difficult to forgive. But His ways are higher than ours, and His mission is clear. We are called to participate in His redemptive work, not because we are perfect, but because we have experienced His mercy ourselves. Let us be fired up for God’s mission, living as witnesses to His compassion and grace in every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Mercy Exceeds Our Failures God’s compassion is not limited by our past mistakes or repeated failures. He pursues us, offering not just a second chance, but another chance—again and again. Our identity is not found in our shortcomings, but in the forgiveness and steadfast love of Christ. When the enemy accuses, we stand firm in the truth that Christ’s sacrifice is greater than our sin. [15:34]
2. God’s Heart Is for All People God’s concern extends beyond His chosen people to even the most wicked and undeserving. The story of Nineveh challenges our own boundaries of mercy, reminding us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. We are called to reflect this heart, praying and believing for the transformation of even the hardest hearts around us. [27:06]
3. We Are Commissioned to Be Witnesses Every believer is called to be a witness to God’s mercy and love, not just through words but through a life lived in obedience and compassion. Our mission is not reserved for a select few, but is the calling of all who have experienced God’s grace. God chooses to work through us, imperfect as we are, to bring His message to the world. [29:35]
4. God’s Ways Surpass Our Understanding There are times when God’s actions—especially His mercy toward the undeserving—confound us. Yet, we are reminded that His ways are higher than ours, and His purposes are often beyond our comprehension. Trusting in His goodness, even when we don’t understand, is an act of faith that deepens our relationship with Him. [26:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:06] - God’s Sovereignty in Jonah’s Story
[02:22] - God’s Pursuit and Unconditional Love
[03:31] - God’s Presence in Our Lowest Places
[04:01] - General Revelation: God in Creation
[06:49] - Special Revelation: God Speaks
[08:39] - Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation
[10:48] - God’s Steadfast Love and New Mercies
[11:58] - Salvation Belongs to the Lord
[12:54] - Jonah’s Second Chance
[13:17] - God’s Compassion for His People
[16:54] - Second Chances in Scripture
[22:41] - God’s Concern for All People
[28:04] - God’s Commission for His People
[31:03] - Living Out the Mission
[33:16] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The God of Second Chances (Jonah)**

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### Bible Reading

**Jonah 3:1-5 (ESV)**
> Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

**Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)**
> The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

**Romans 1:20 (ESV)**
> For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

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### Observation Questions

In Jonah 3:1-2, what does God do for Jonah after his failure, and how does Jonah respond this time?
According to Lamentations 3:22-23, what is true about God’s love and mercy? How often are they renewed?
In Romans 1:20, what does Paul say about how God reveals Himself to all people?
The sermon mentioned that God’s concern was not just for Jonah, but also for the people of Nineveh, who were known for their wickedness. What specific examples of Nineveh’s evil were described? ([23:26])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God gives Jonah a second chance instead of finding someone else to deliver His message? What does this reveal about God’s character? ([13:17])
The sermon said, “God’s love is not reserved for a future, improved version of ourselves; He loves us at our worst.” How does this truth challenge the way people often think about God’s love? ([02:22])
The people of Nineveh were described as extremely wicked, yet God still sent Jonah to them. What does this say about the reach of God’s mercy? ([27:06])
The pastor shared that sometimes it’s hard to accept God’s mercy for people we think don’t deserve it. Why might this be difficult, and what does it show about our own hearts? ([26:44])

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### Application Questions

The sermon said, “You haven’t out-sinned the grace and mercy of God.” Is there an area in your life where you feel like you’ve failed too much for God to use you? How does Jonah’s story speak to that? ([02:22])
When the enemy reminds you of your past failures, what truth from the sermon or Scripture can you use to stand firm in your identity in Christ? ([15:34])
Think about someone in your life who seems far from God or “undeserving” of mercy. How can you pray for them and show them God’s compassion this week? ([27:06])
The sermon highlighted that God’s mission is for all believers, not just pastors or missionaries. What is one practical way you can be a witness to God’s mercy in your daily life this week? ([29:35])
The pastor mentioned that God’s ways are higher than ours, especially when He shows mercy to people we struggle to forgive. Is there someone you need to forgive or show grace to, even if you don’t understand why God would want you to? ([26:44])
God revealed Himself through both creation and His Word, but special revelation (Jesus and Scripture) is needed for salvation. How can you make space in your week to listen to God’s Word and respond to His call? ([06:49])
The sermon talked about being “fired up” for God’s mission. What is one step you can take this month to get more involved in sharing God’s love—whether it’s serving, inviting someone to church, or joining a mission opportunity? ([31:03])

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