Aside from Jesus, King David and the apostle Simon Peter are my two favorite people in the Bible. Both are outspoken and rash, but their hearts are fully committed to God, willing to do whatever it takes to be with Him. David and Peter aren't perfect; they are two flawed people who messed up big time. But God gave them fresh starts.
King David was righteous and aimed to serve God in everything he did. Yet he still had moments where he messed up. In one instance, lust and temptation got the better of him, and he ended up getting the wife of one of his greatest warriors, Uriah the Hittite, pregnant. David had Uriah killed in an attempt to cover up the affair. It was a costly mistake that came with consequences. What's worth noting is that God didn't walk out on David. He was disappointed, but still called David His son, and gave him a fresh start.
Simon Peter, a man whose heart was fully devoted to God, was outspoken, and willing to follow Jesus to the ends of the earth. And he messed up--big time. First, he slashed a soldier's ear when guards came to arrest Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Second, he denied knowing Jesus--even after giving three years of his life to following his favorite rabbi.
The Bible never explains why Peter denied Jesus, but we can guess that Peter's denial came from fear. The guards arrested Jesus, and death looked imminent. And now people were asking if he was one of Jesus' followers. So, out of fear, he denied ever knowing Him. Luke 22:61-62 (NIV) says, "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly."
Imagine the pain and agony at that moment--for both Jesus and Peter. The two of them were best friends. They thought they could rely on each other. And yet Jesus was about to be killed, and Peter denied ever knowing Him. Right after Peter denied Jesus, it says, "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." Picture that for a moment. Imagine the heartbreak in Jesus' eyes and the fear in Peter's. It seemed as though Peter had committed one of the most tragic mistakes in history. But that wasn't the end of his story.
David and Peter's stories in the Bible show that God can use people despite their mistakes and failures. David's kingdom flourished and Jesus came from his family line, and despite Peter's denial, Jesus restored and used him to help build the church.
I don't know about you, but I've certainly made mistakes. No, I didn't kill anyone, and I didn't slash a guy's ear. But, I've had moments where I denied Jesus. I've had moments where I felt life was crashing in front of me. Moments where God felt a million miles away. Just like David and Peter, God also offers fresh starts and new beginnings to us. He loves and forgives and is ready to give second chances to those who seek Him. And He continues to give me a fresh start every single day.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." As we enter into 2023, look back at the past year. Do you feel like God's compassions are new every morning? Or, do you feel like your mistakes define who you are? Would you believe me if I told you that, even now, you can begin again? The shame and weight of your past have no hold on you. God's love and forgiveness are available to you, just like they were for David and Peter. He's offering you a fresh start. He's whispering to you, "This is day one."
A new year is always a great time to start thinking about new beginnings. But no matter what time of year it is, God's loving arms are always reaching out to you. And every day of every year, you can begin again. No matter who you are or what you've done, God is offering you a fresh start. This is where I want to put my focus for this month's devotional. I pray that you may come to understand and truly experience the love and forgiveness that Jesus is offering you at this moment.
Passion, "New Thing"
2023 will be--quite possibly--one of the most formative years of my life. This spring, I'll be graduating high school, and soon I'll be moving a couple of hundred miles away from home to attend college in San Diego, California. I'm excited about these new changes, but at the same time, it's a little scary. I've prayed that I'd make this move for years, and now everything's unfolding. Attending college in California is one of my biggest dreams, and now it's happening; it's overwhelming in the best way possible. God is doing a new thing in my life, and I'm grateful for it.
At the beginning of every new year, and especially this year, I'm reminded of Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV). It says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." I always read that verse in isolation, not getting the full picture.
The Israelites had made mistakes. Over and over again, they turned to other gods and forsaken their first love. But, God kept saving them over and over again. He kept rescuing them, even though they had done nothing to deserve His grace. There were consequences for their sins (God exiled them into Babylon). But God still promised to set them free one day.
In my Bible, the header of Isaiah 43:14-28 is God's Mercy and Israel's Unfaithfulness: that's the story throughout the Old Testament. When the Israelites were unfaithful, God showed them mercy. The entire chapter of Isaiah 43 paints a picture of God's goodness and faithfulness even when Israel was unfaithful. The chapter is a promise, reminding the soon-to-be-exiled Israelites that redemption is forthcoming.
Before the famous Isaiah 43:18-19, the author writes in verses 16 and 17 (NIV), "This is what the Lord says--he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: forget the former things." Before we can be reminded of the future promises God has in store for us, we need to look back and see His faithfulness. Just like the Israelites, we also need to be reminded of the things God has done and continues to do in our lives. It helps us to keep our faith strong and to trust in His plan for us.
As I move on to a new chapter of my life, I need to remember how God has been faithful to me. And trust that He will continue to guide and bless me as I move forward. Just like He made a way through the Red Sea, He's making a way for me. He's making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The same is true for your life, too.
The Passion Band's song, "New Thing," is based on the promise in Isaiah 43:18-19 and Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), "The old has gone, the new is here." The bridge declares, "Look around at all You've done/The old has gone the new has come/You'll finish what You started/Finish what You started/We have tasted, we believe/There's so much more we're gonna see/You'll finish what You started/Finish what You started."
Look back at your past. Can you remember mistakes you've made? Words that you wish you could take back? Through Jesus, you can start living like that old life has been washed away. The new life is here. This is day one. God is doing a new thing. Now, look ahead into the future. Is there something that God has promised you, something big He's doing in your life? Believe me when I tell you that He'll finish what He's started. This is only the beginning. We've only scratched the surface of God's goodness.
"Like the winter turns to spring/Like the deserts turn to streams/You're doing a new thing/You're doing a new thing/Like the rain on thirsty ground/Holy Spirit pour it out/You're doing a new thing/You're doing a new thing."
Kristian Stanfill, "Show Me Who You Really Are"
You may find it difficult to fully believe and trust in the idea that God can bring new beginnings, forgiveness, and faithfulness, despite past mistakes and struggles. You might say, "Just because God gave David and Peter fresh starts doesn't mean He'll do the same for me." As broken humans, we have a hard time accepting love. We have a hard time believing that we're lovable. It can be difficult to accept forgiveness, even when it's being handed to you. So if you think you're too far gone, listen to me: Jesus didn't die on the cross for just anything. He died so you could begin again.
Embrace the new path that God has laid out for you, and understand that Jesus offers you a chance for renewal not out of necessity, but because of the deep and genuine love, he has for you. He's not offering you forgiveness out of obligation, but out of the overflow of His love and goodness.
A few months ago, contemporary artist Kristian Stanfill released a vulnerable new album called Make It Out Alive. Before the album's release, he opened up on social media about his alcohol addiction. It was a chain in his life that God was able to break, and now he's two years sober. His new album is real and tackles some hard subjects. But over and over again, each song points back to Jesus and His presence with us through the highs and lows.
One of my favorite songs on the album is "Show Me Who You Really Are." The bridge simply repeats, "You are love, and I am the one You love." Regardless of who you are, what you've done, or what's been done to you, whether you've struggled with addiction, abuse, mental health, or anything else in between, Jesus still loves you. He wants to break your chains, take your hand, and whisper into your ear, "You can begin again."
What's stopping you from accepting God's great forgiveness and grace? Take His hand and embrace His love. This is day one.
"I'll take down all my defenses/And I'll let down my guard/Let You break through every pretense/Every wall around my heart/I'll show You who I really am/So You can show me who You really are."
Chris Renzema, "I Don't Wanna Go"
"This dream is calling me to a place I've never been before, and perhaps that's exactly where You are. In the mystery. In the unknown. In the beauty and the shadows." On February 7, 2022, around midnight, I jotted those words down in my iPhone notes. I wrote those words down with a specific college campus in my mind, long before I had even applied.
I knew God had been tugging on my heart for months, trying to lead me in this direction. And eleven days after I wrote that note, He showed up for me in a huge way. He clearly showed me that this college is where I'm headed. But I had days where I doubted what He told me. I had days of wondering, "Will I get an acceptance letter in the mail? Am I good enough to go to school here? What if I heard God wrong?" Sound familiar?
Almost 10 months after writing that note on my phone, I received an acceptance letter in the mail. God showed up like He always does. But what if I ended up letting fear stop me? What if I decided never to apply to college? I would have missed out on so much. I wonder if the same is true in your life.
What if today, instead of letting the unknown hold you back, you lean into the mystery? God's in both the unknown and the beauty. The mystery and the shadows. Instead of letting your past failures hold you back, I dare you to step out. I dare you to boldly step forward into what God is calling you into, knowing that today is day one.
Singer/songwriter Chris Renzema has a beautiful song called "I Don't Wanna Go." The song paints beautiful imagery of God's people who decided to step out in faith to follow Him. Circling back around to God parting the Red Sea for the Israelites, Chris Renzema sings, "Like Israel on the shore/All I see is crashing waves/But like Israel on the shore/It's through the wild you make a way/I will go where you go/I will stay where you stay."
Step out onto the waves. Chase after Jesus and those dreams He's placed in your heart. Step into the mystery. Into the unknown. Into the beauty and the shadows. That's exactly where He is. He's going before you and making a way where there seems to be no way. He gave you a fresh start, and that means a bright future is ahead. You can dream again. This is day one.
"I don't wanna go if you're not going before me/If you're not going before me/I won't go, I won't go."
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is NRT's news editor, and one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road trips.
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