"Everyone deserves a second chance," That's how then coach of the St.Louis Rams, Dick Vermeil put it when he drafted a certain player. The player had shown that he had the talent to play in the NFL. But he also had a troubled past. His poor judgment and questionable behavior off the field seemed to cast a shadow over all of his on field accomplishments. Other teams made a conscious decision not to draft the player. But Vermeil believed that in the right environment and surrounded by the right players, the troubled player would flourish in the NFL. In Vermeil's mind, the player deserved a second chance.
Psalm 85 is a prayer which asks the Lord for a fresh start. "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation," is the plea that is made to "God our Savior."
When we begin each morning by making the sign of the cross that reminds us of our baptism, we begin with a fresh start. We remember that we belong to God through Jesus Christ. We remember that God views us as His righteous people as we claim through faith the merits of Jesus as our very own. We can ask for a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead and help us throughout the day. We give thanks to the Father for the "second chance" He has given us by trusting in Jesus' sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.
The Lord never tires of hearing the faithful pleas of His people. He gladly revives us through the Gospel, that Word of forgiveness and salvation that reassures us of our status before the Lord. We can agree with the Psalmist that "the Lord will indeed give what is good." He is the God of the second chance!
