Jesse Tree, Day 14 – A God of Second Chances

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said to him, I say not to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. – Matthew 18:21-22

Read: Isaiah 11: 1 – 1o

How far are you prepared to go to give people a second, third and even fourth chance? Okay, don’t answer. Can I just guess that it is a very hard thing to keep forgiving people for the same offenses over and over again. Ask me how I know? The good news is that the God we serve is a God of second chances. 

You will remember that David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, was chosen by God to be king. God also promised him that from the Davidic family line of kings a messiah would come. Well, let’s just say that the entire family line had one problem after another–mess up after mess up. However, when all hope was lost, God’s promise to David remained. He gave his children a second chance.

Here is a quick summary of the story. After David died, his son Solomon became king. Solomon started out as a wise and great king, but in later years, he allowed idol worship into Israel and burdened the people with heavy taxes. When Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, put in place even harsher taxes. Can you believe it? Not surprisingly, the nation of Israel split—10 tribes left and formed the Northern kingdom (called Israel) and the remaining tribes (Judah and Benjamin) formed the Southern kingdom (called Judah). 

Sadly, Israel had a long succession of kings who all “did evil in the sight of the LORD.” 1 Kings 15: 34, KJV  Many of the great prophets like Elijah and Amos ministered in the kingdoms. Second Kings 17:13 says, “Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer.” But it was of little use. They would not listen. Eventually, verse 18 notes, “Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only” (2 Kings 17:18, KJV). 

Here is the amazing thing. In spite of the people’s rebellion against God, He kept his promise to David through the tribe of Judah. When it seemed like the family line would end with the promise unfulfilled, Isaiah prophesied that  “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit..” Isaiah 11: 1. NIV.  

Have you ever seen a tree cut down and all that remained was a lifeless stump? Isaiah saw that even though the family line would appear dead like an old tree stump, life would remain within it. 

A shoot–almost unnoticeable–would spring out of the stump.  That shoot would eventually become a mighty tree. This is the promise of the messiah who would come to build up a kingdom that was not of this world.

God keeps His promises. In spite of the times when we mess up–He is the God of second chances.

REFLECT: Think of a time when you extended forgiveness to someone who did not deserve it. How and why did you choose to do it?