The God Of Another Chance.

"Even after my skin has been stripped off my body, I will see God in my own flesh. I will see him with my own eyes, not with someone else's. My heart fails inside me!"
Job 19:26-27 GW

You may have heard religious people say that "God is a God of second chances." It sounds encouraging, but it's not entirely accurate. The Bible reveals that the Lord can more precisely be described as the "God of another chance."

The distinction matters. God doesn't simply grant a "second chance" and stop there. By His mercy, He continues forgiving and offering us fresh opportunities—daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.

In our opening verse, Job had lost everything, including his health. Yet his declaration of confidence in the God who gives another chance is remarkable. Imagine suffering from painful boils as Job did, and still having the audacity to proclaim that you will see God again in that same body, even after your skin has been stripped away.

Job knew his Redeemer would come to restore him and grant him another chance to glorify God in his body. That same confession must be on your lips as you enter the new year or a new season. Declare it aloud with faith: "I will be healthy again. I will be wealthy again. I will serve God again, for He has given me another chance at life."

Perhaps you've missed the mark, walked in compromise, or tolerated sinful behavior. Now is not the time to despair or see it as the end. As long as you wake up each morning, you have another chance to do right by God. Consider David, a man described as "a man after God's heart." He messed up repeatedly and in significant ways, but God kept forgiving him and granting him another chance at the kingdom.

That loss you suffered this year—it's not the end of the world. The opportunities you lost, the dreams that seemed to die—God is the God of another chance. As you enter 2026, recognize that God is giving you another opportunity to shine, another chance to serve Him, another chance to be the spouse you're called to be, another chance to walk in your purpose. It's another chance to turn away from sin and rebellion.

Don't squander your new chances. You never know when mercy runs out. The Spirit doesn't strive with humanity forever (Genesis 6:3). You never know which chance might be your last. Saul never received another opportunity after his rebellion against God—the door was slammed shut immediately. So when another opportunity comes your way, treat it as if it were your last and maximize the return on that investment.

Prayer

Thank You, Father, for giving me another chance at life. Your mercy has kept me from falling utterly. You give me fresh opportunities each morning. I will not take any of them for granted. Help me use this new chance You've given me today to bring glory to Your name and walk according to Your will and purpose for my life, in Jesus' name. Amen.