There You Go, Again!

When you mess up, God is not through with you. Ishmael and Isaac were examples of God giving Abraham a second chance. Abraham produced Ishmael out of wedlock, pursuing what we would call the son of the flesh. Then he had the audacity in Genesis 17 to try to convince God that Ishmael should become the heir of promise. Now don’t you laugh, because many of us will sin and try to ask God to make it His will. No, sin is sin. God doesn’t get mixed up. If it’s sin, it’s sin. God says, “No, I made a promise. I will still hold true to My agenda. You will have another son. There will be another shot.” Ishmael became the son of disobedience, but Isaac became the son of obedience. Ishmael became the son of impatience, but Isaac became the son of patience. The point-God spoke to Abraham a second time after failure. Abraham had nations, descendants, he’s great! That’s grace. Think about it, how many chances has God given you? That’s grace!

Prayer: Most gracious heavenly Father, we don’t have far to look when we consider all the ways you have dispatched Your grace. Our failures, sometimes many, never hinder your divine prerogative. Thank You, Jesus.   Once Your mind is made up about anything concerning our lives, it will come to pass. Help us to see that our disobedience only frustrates our walk, delays our blessings, and breaks Your heart.  May Your Holy Spirit convict our hearts of sin and especially the sin of our disobedience.  Lord, may it be our aim, whether present or absent,  to be well pleasing to You, Jesus!
By Pastor Wayne Cockrell
Taken from “Repentance That Impresses God”