Daily devotional, April 4, 2024 The Claw Machine
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."
Psalm 147:5
My children love to take a chance in arcade claw machines. They are just so fascinated with the thought that they could possibly win a plushie just by trying to control something. But as in any game of chance, the odds of winning are slim. And so they ask me for one more token so that they could get another chance, and I oblige. And the cycle of trying, failing, and asking for new chances continues but only up to the limits that I have set.
As followers of Jesus, we are more than blessed to be governed by a limitless God. A God who despite His boundless power is so generous and gracious enough to give us second, third, fourth and many chances until we finally get it right and live according to His will for our lives. As the Apostle Paul assured the Roman Church about the Lord’s boundless mercy:
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
The story of the Israelites is one of the best illustrations of how steadfast and merciful God can be. Their stubborness, and cyclical patterns of being thankful to the Lord, forgetting about Him, turning to other idols, being stricken with calamity and suffering, and then pleading for the Lord’s mercy is just so vicious yet the Lord remained faithful to them, answering their cries for help each time.
"Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways." Judges 2:18-19
In our lives and failures, God shows us how redemptive He can be. How merciful He is, and how deeply He understands that our sinful nature could lead us to falter. He loves us so much that He sends help to deliver us. He continues to call us to rely on Him, and He rescues us.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23
And so when we feel like we continue to falter on our resolve to change ourselves for the good, and turn away from our “favorite sins,” let us remind ourselves that only the Lord could help us. He will send us the Holy Spirit that will empower us to spiritually transform into what He has envisioned us to be. That we should not lose hope that we could change for the better because our great God gives us all the chances to follow Him. In fact He strengthens our resolve so we can endure and improve:
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
So how do we claim our succeeding chances from God after we have failed? St. Peter the Apostle tells us that if we confess our sins and call on Jesus’ name, and repent, we will be forgiven. We will be made new and we can have another clean slate to restart our lives:
"Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38
It is never too late to ask for another chance from the Lord. Accept your frailty and accept the fact that only the grace of God can change you. That only through His power, will you be able to win against the temptations in your life, and be the best person God has made you to be.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 John 1:7-9 and Ephesians 3:14-20 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you need more chances from God?
Conversation with the Lord: Almighty Father, thank you for being the God of many chances. For renewing your mercies every morning, and for not getting tired of calling me into your grace. I want to follow you and I plead that you help strengthen me so that I could improve on my character. I need your grace and mercy. Amen.