Another Chance ∙∙
I, yes, I alone, will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. – Isaiah 43:25
Micah 7:18-20
18 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing your loyal love.
19 Once again, you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!
20 You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.
Second Chances: Restoring Lives and Hope
Second Chance Bikes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to refurbishing, repairing, and donating used bicycles to those in need, including children, the homeless, individuals with disabilities, and military veterans. A retired New Jersey police officer founded the organization and has become a beacon of hope for many. Each year, hundreds of impounded and donated bicycles are sent to Ernie and his team of volunteers, who restore them with care and distribute them to those who need them most. Since its inception in 2006, it has provided over 4500 bicycles, giving both the bikes and their recipients a fresh start.
Mary Pickford, known as “America’s Sweetheart,” during her early Hollywood career, once said, “If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down but the staying down.”
This sentiment captures the essence of Second Chance Bikes’ mission: to give a second chance, not just to bicycles, but also to the people who receive them.
The Father’s Gift of Second Chances
The concept of second chances is not new. It is deeply rooted in the Father’s character, as seen throughout history. In the eighth century BC, the nation of Israel was deeply involved in personal, social, governmental, and religious sins. The era was dark, similar to the challenges we face today. Despite their rebellion, the Father, who is holy and just, chose to respond with love and forgiveness, offering His people another chance.
The Father called the prophet Micah to deliver His message of grace, loving-kindness, and mercy. Micah, overwhelmed by the depth of the Father’s compassion, lamented the state of humanity, writing in Micah 7:2: “The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth.” Yet, even in the face of such widespread sin, the Father’s love remained steadfast.
Micah marveled at the Father’s mercy, asking in Micah 7:18: “Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his chosen people?” This rhetorical question highlights the uniqueness of the Father’s grace, a grace that forgives, restores, and transforms.
The Unchanging Nature of the Father
The Father’s willingness to forgive rebellious and sinful people 3700 years ago is the same today as it was then. His love and faithfulness remain unchanging. The Old Testament prophets, like Micah, were repeatedly sent to call the Father’s wayward people to repentance, identifying their sins and offering them a way back to Him.
In Micah 7:19, Micah declared: “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” This vivid imagery illustrates the completeness of the Father’s forgiveness; sins are not just forgiven but cast away, never to be held against us again.
The Father’s love is constant, and His grace is boundless.
Grace for a Lifetime
Everyone faces challenges with persistent sin and the need for repentance. Sadly, sin and repentance are not one-time events; sin is a recurring struggle throughout our lives. This can lead us to feel unworthy and discouraged. Still, God’s grace remains constant. He is always ready to forgive and restore us, regardless of our failures. His faithfulness is rooted in who He is, not in what we do. This truth gives us hope. Even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful. His love and grace are unconditional.
As Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:13: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
The phrase “He cannot deny Himself” means that God’s promises and love are intrinsic to His nature. While we may be inconsistent, God’s promises, love, and grace are always there. This truth brings us hope, especially when we feel weak or have failed. Even if we feel far from God, His faithfulness does not change. His love and grace invite us back to Him, no matter how far we wander.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father’s faithfulness does not depend on our actions. It is based on His love, mercy, and grace. No matter how often we fail, He keeps His promises. As F. Scott Fitzgerald wisely noted, “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” The Father’s love ensures that no failure is final when we turn to Him. His grace lifts us from despair, offering hope and renewal time and time again.
Father, when I consider the rebellion and sins I have so often repeated before You, I am humbled by Your grace and kindness. Only a loving and forgiving God could offer another chance, and You do so freely. Thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness and compassion.
INSIGHT
A God Like No Other
Carl Bard observes, “Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” This quote captures the essence of the Father’s heart, a heart that offers new beginnings, no matter how far we’ve fallen. As Mary Tyler Moore once said, “Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.” These sentiments echo the Father’s boundless grace and His desire to restore and renew.
Micah 7:18 declares, “There is no other God like you! You forgive sin and pardon the rebellion of those who remain among your chosen people. You do not remain angry forever but delight in showing loyal love.”
The Heart of the Father
What is the heart of the Father truly like? It is a heart that delights in showing loyal love, grace, mercy, kindness, and gentleness. His love is not conditional or earned; it is freely given. Because of this great love, He sent His Son to die for the sins of the world. Judgment and death are the natural consequences of human actions, yet the Father chooses to forgive. He has no obligation to pardon our iniquities, yet He does so willingly and joyfully.
Micah’s rhetorical question in Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like you?” invites the only possible answer: no one. The Father’s nature is unmatched. His forgiveness, love, and grace are beyond human comprehension. While human grace is often limited and conditional, the Father’s grace is infinite and unchanging.
The Father’s Loyal Love
The Father’s hesed, or “loyal love,” is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In Exodus 34:6-7, the Lord reveals His character to Moses: “The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, ‘LORD! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.’”
This passage highlights the Father’s unmatched compassion and mercy. He is slow to anger and rich in steadfast love, quickly forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. The book of Micah reflects this truth, beginning with God’s anger and ending with His grace. Micah begins by describing a vision of God walking on the earth and causing mountains to melt, but it concludes with God trampling sins beneath His feet and eliminating human evil. The prophet starts by asking who is like God and concludes by affirming that no one is like Him.
A God Who Works for His People
Our heavenly Father is unique among all gods. He works on behalf of His people, while false gods demand that people work for them. Sadly, many project their own life experiences onto the Father, seeing Him as harsh, cruel, or punishing. They view Him as a relentless judge, eager to uncover every flaw and punish every mistake.
But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The Father is loving, caring, and welcoming. He seeks out His wayward children and calls them to come back to Himself. He doesn’t wait with condemnation but with open arms, ready to embrace those who turn to Him.
The Lord Jesus Christ provides a fantastic opportunity in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
The Father’s Eagerness to Forgive
The Father is not merely willing to forgive; He is eager to do so. His forgiveness is not reluctant or begrudging but joyful and abundant. He delights in showing mercy and longs for His children to experience the warmth of His love.
Micah 7:19 proclaims, “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” This vivid imagery illustrates the completeness of the Father’s forgiveness. He does not merely set our sins aside; He casts them away entirely, never to be remembered or held against us.
The love of the Father is unmatched, His grace knows no bounds, and His mercy never runs dry. He is a God like no other, offering second chances and new beginnings to all who seek Him.
The Father’s love serves as a consistent beacon of hope and renewal. His grace changes lives, presenting second chances to everyone who seeks Him. Just as Second Chance Bikes refurbishes bicycles and gives them new life, the Father rejuvenates us, granting us the opportunity to rise above our failures and walk in His light.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯5-20-22
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 