A fresh start
As a General Election nears there must be a number of MPs wondering if they will get the chance to have another go at the job. Through short-term contracts, acting positions or 5 year parliaments, we can come to a point when we would like to carry on, but maybe won't. We may be concerned that someone else will destroy our achievements or want another go to might redeem our reputation.
Hezekiah was terminally ill and Isaiah told him to put his affairs in order. But Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, wept and prayed. Perhaps he remembered the idolatry and destruction his father had brought on Jerusalem, and perhaps he already knew that his son would do no better. He had worked very hard and achieved great things, but there was more to do and no one else who would do it. The Lord answered his prayer and sent Isaiah back with the promise of healing and fifteen more years of peace and protection. The Lord had already rescued Judah from the Assyrians and now he gave Hezekiah a further opportunity to run the country.
Deep down many of us would like another go at life. 'Could have done better' is not always an easy verdict to live with. Yet we, the 'born-again' ones, have been given exactly that - another go at life. Much may need forgiving, consequences of past sins sorted out, but every day we can start again. Paul recounted how Jesus had said to him, 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I am sending you to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified.' Tell everyone they can have a fresh start, past forgiven, power for the future and a guaranteed party at the end.
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