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8 God is all mercy and grace - not quick to anger, is rich in love. 9 God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace. 10 Creation and creatures applaud you, God; 11 your holy people bless you. They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor, 12 Letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office. God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. 14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit. (Psalm 145:8-14 The Message Bible)
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This powerful psalm reminds me of the old church chant that some preachers liked to do from time to time during worship. "God is good!" the pastor would chant, and the congregation would respond, "All the time!" And then the preacher would say, "And all the time?" And the people would respond, "God is good!" It blessed me everytime I did that and heard that. It's as if David already knew that, but probably doesn't sound quite the same in Hebrew? This psalm gives away David's heart; he knows God and trusts God. He has walked with God, hidden behind God, stood next to God, and allowed God to lead him all the way. And that's quite a distance from the pasture to the palace! God led him to the battlefield where as a boy he was victoriious over a giant!
David knew God's grace is the foundation of His second chances and fresh starts. Despite our mistakes, failures, and shortcomings, God's grace abounds. We often fall short of His perfect standards, but through His grace, He extends forgiveness and mercy to us. We don't have to be defined by our past mistakes, for God's grace offers us a clean slate. And thank God for that! I don't want to be known for my worst sermon, or flubs I made while making a hospital visit, or saying things that were not right for the occasions; no, God has given me, as He has you, second (and a million others!) chances and fresh starts when we were past spent and tired beyond belief.
Please know that uur Heavenly Father is compassionate and understanding. He sees our brokenness, our regrets, and our yearning for a fresh start. His heart is moved with compassion, and He is ready to extend His healing touch to our lives. In His compassion, God reaches out to us, offering comfort, restoration, and the assurance that we are never alone. And how can we keep that a secret from others? It is public, or should be, public information! We need to tell the world!
Unlike our patience, God's patience is beyond measure. Despite our repeated failures and stubbornness, He does not give up on us easily. Rather, He patiently waits for us to turn to Him, offering us opportunities to repent and change. God's slow anger reflects His desire to see us grow, mature, and experience the fullness of His love.
God's love is immeasurable and boundless. Thank Him that we don't have to measure it! It just flows down and into us and as a result it should flow out of us for all people. I repeat, ALL PEOPLE. It is through His love that He grants us second chances and fresh starts. His love seeks to transform our lives, heal our wounds, and guide us on the path of righteousness. It is His love that brings hope, restoration, and the promise of a better tomorrow. Think back to Monday's gospel reading from Matthew, where our Lord said, "Come unto me all ye who are heavy-laden and I will give you rest." Yes, that the dated language of a precious and powerful Bible, King James, but it works. You know what Jesus meant!
Dear friends, as recipients of God's grace and love, we are called to embrace the fresh starts He offers us. We can leave behind the weight of our past mistakes and embrace the freedom found in His forgiveness. It is an opportunity to learn from our experiences, grow in faith, and pursue a life that honors Him. And we should start now. Yes, right after the amen, get to work!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God of second chances and fresh starts. We are grateful for Your abundant grace, compassion, patience, and love. Help us to fully embrace the forgiveness You offer and live in the freedom that comes from Your mercy. May we extend the same grace to others and be instruments of Your love in the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Go tell somebody that God is giving them a fresh start. They'll know just what you're talking about!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
