As part of their training, all new presenters on the radio use a practice log—an exact replica of the live log except for one small difference in the file name. It’s a little like a flight simulator for pilots; you get to make mistakes without embarrassing or devastating consequences. It’s a great system for trainees, but if a seasoned presenter accidentally use the practice log to prerecord her radio program, it won’t be able to air.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all get a practice run at life, hit “delete” when we mess up, and start over? The people of Judah during the time of Zephaniah could relate. God was weary of all the evil He saw and threatened to wipe clean the face of the earth. No, this isn’t the story of Noah (Genesis 6:7), although it certainly sounds familiar.
The prophet Zephaniah lived during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1). Those in the city of Jerusalem had become complacent in sin that threatened to keep them from a loving relationship with God. The Lord’s passion for His people led Him to call them to worship Him alone (Zephaniah 1:5). He threatened to destroy “every last trace of their Baal worship” and save a small remnant of the faithful (Zephaniah 1:4, Zephaniah 2:7, Zephaniah 3:13). Zephaniah spoke of a day when the Lord would once again reign in the hearts of His people and live among them (Zephaniah 3:15-17).
Hundreds of years later, the Son of God walked the earth, was crucified for our sins, rose again, and made a way for us to have a fresh start through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). God’s grace was revealed in Zephaniah’s day and continues to flow to us in Jesus. What an amazing God, allowing us to start anew in our relationship with Him!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 5:1-39
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 for more on the new start we have in Christ.
Next:
Have you experienced a fresh start in Jesus? If not, what’s holding you back? How has God revealed His grace to all people?
Gary Shultz on June 25, 2016 at 6:19 am
Yes Ruth, the fresh start is the saving factor of life. Even as a child of faith we find ourselves just loosing the edge on our relationship, not skidding into big sins, but drifting. Is the drift sin? I’m not sure in all cases, but it will be the start of the same thing the Israelite’s got themselves into. As you indicate we do not get to do a reset, it’s all live and we only get one shot at this. Being a radio personality, I’m sure life would be much different if you could never turn off the mic. God watches closely for us to return to the warmth of His fellowship, and that is a part we must do, recognize and return to refresh the relationship. God has something of unimaginable proportion waiting for us, may we keep reaching, living for what is in store. Thanks Ruth.
gagirllive on June 25, 2016 at 3:32 pm
Gary, I think you may have answered your own question about drifting. We must “recognize and return to refresh the relationship”. It should serve as a warning to “return to the warmth of His fellowship”. I love that. Thanks, Gary.
gagirllive on June 25, 2016 at 7:23 am
“Control Z”. It’s what I do on my computer, Ruth, to get me back to the place I was before “the big mess up”. Works every time. 🙂 Though we don’t get a do-over with time gone by, in Christ we always have a fresh start to begin again from where we are. I’ve heard it said that the Christian life is a series of new beginnings. I like that…and I’m so thankful for it. Everyday…every moment we can choose to begin again—choose to walk in this newness of life that He has provided for us. Appreciate this topic today, Ruth. A blessed weekend to you and all the ODJ community.
gagirllive on June 25, 2016 at 7:42 am
The remaining portion of my comment was truncated. Dare I start over? 🙂
mithrandir on June 25, 2016 at 9:40 am
Hi, gagirlive. Yes, please do. I always enjoy and appreciate what you have to say. 🙂
gagirllive on June 25, 2016 at 10:28 am
Thank you, mithrandir! It wasn’t much more. I was saying that in Christ we always have a new start. I heard a preacher say that the Christian life is a series of new beginnings. Though we can’t recover the past (but God can redeem it and use it for good), we can go forward from where we are. I find that in my own life I am constantly in the mode of dedication and surrender…over and over throughout the day. To be a victorious Christian doesn’t mean you never mess up. It means you keep a short account with God. Sin breaks our fellowship with Him and what often happens is that we tend to withdraw from Him because of our own disappointment and our wrong perception that God’s disposition has changed toward us. Confession, repentance, and acceptance of His forgiveness and grace puts us right back in fellowship with Him. We draw near again and He meets us gladly. This the fresh start…the new beginning that every believer can experience day by day—even moment by moment. Knowing and experiencing this kind of grace doesn’t lead me to sin carelessly but makes me love Him more! This grace and love creates in me a desire to obey Him in all things. Though I often fall, I take His outstretched hand and begin again. We don’t get do-overs, but we get restarts. I’m so thankful, aren’t you? Grace and peace to you, my friend.
hsnpoor on June 25, 2016 at 12:10 pm
So glad you started over….. I’m thinking how incredibly true was Peter’s contention that God doesn’t want any one to perish but that all would come to saving faith in Jesus. When you stop and think of the many fresh starts throughout Biblical history and WHY they were needed, it’s just staggering. How long, Lord? How long?
gagirllive on June 25, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Amen, sister!
gagirllive on June 25, 2016 at 4:06 pm
Kim, I was thinking about the verse you referred to in your comment earlier (2 Peter 3: 9)…how God longs and waits for ALL to come to repentance. It must grieve Him so when someone thinks they have gone too far, done too much. I had an elderly neighbor who felt that way. My husband and I spoke many times to him about the grace of God, but his stubborn pride would not relent. He passed away, but I hope that he somehow came to trust the new start he could have in Christ, even on his deathbed. He had no life left to offer Christ, but like the thief on the cross next to Jesus, he could have sealed his destiny with everlasting life if he had only believed. How gracious our God is to give us opportunity up until the very end! Thanks for inspiring that thought in me, Kim. 🙂
jef on June 25, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Amen. You’ve dealt with the comfy christian issue. The Lord longs to lead us with His eyes but at times we force Him to use the bridle. Samson a classic example spurned chance after chance. At times his compromises led to worthless pursuits or rather using energetic resources unworthily judges 16:3 carrying city gates just for show. But oh for Grace, graciously makes it to the hall of faith.
gagirllive on June 25, 2016 at 3:38 pm
So true, jef! I’m very thankful for His loving discipline. I like how you put it…”The Lord longs to lead us with His eyes but at times we force Him to use the bridle.” Reminds me of my children as they were growing up. Sometimes all it took was a look to get them back on track. May we be so easily obedient! Thank you for sharing that, jef.