He could have let me die, there’s no doubt.
But He had a plan for me. Scratch that – He has a plan for me.
When I was in the hospital (diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver), I remember the doctor telling my wife and my brother that I might not make it.
Might not make it. Might die!
Actually, it was my wife who told me later that that’s what the doctor had said. She also told me about how, on her way home from the hospital, she pulled over to the side of the highway, stopped the car, and cried out to God on my behalf.
Now, I can’t begin to explain the power of prayer. I can’t explain why God chose for me to live (and believe me, I did not deserve to) and yet in one terrifying moment, on a September morning in 2001, so many lost their lives. It defies logic. It’s too big for me to understand.
But this I do know. I know that my Redeemer lives! And He is a gracious and faithful and merciful God.
And for me, He is a God of second, and third, and fourth chances…
I don’t know where you are as you read this, if you’re experiencing doubts and fears.
Or maybe you’ve just come to your end.
Hang on – don’t give up!
He has a plan for me, and He has a plan for you.
And remember, that our God, who never changes, who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow…loves you.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
And sometimes we need to be reminded, of what we already know so well…
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Wonderful and refreshing, when you wrote: "And for me, He is a God of second, and third, and fourth chances…" It wasn't the words themselves, it was the ellipsis. The "there is no end in my sight" of His mercy, grace or faithfulness. So long I've heard the quantitative approach to the message; where the speaker would say only that "He is the God of the second chance" and when I was younger in the faith such a limit on Him frightened me beyond words. This article is a breath of divinely fresh air. With humility, gratefulness and gentleness you spoke and you spoke well.
Dear David, God loves you and He showed His never ending love for you. Use your life to give Him the glory and keep being a witness as you are now dear Brother. God bless In Jesus Trudy
