Read Nehemiah 9:5-31
This retelling of Israel’s history is a story characterized by “again.” “Again and again they tempted God, and pained the Holy One of Israel.” (Psalm 78:41) In our own personal history, there is a repetitive theme of again as well. “Again” keeps appearing on our do lists and our prayer list. Again and again we too tempt God by our self-serving choices. We need grace and He responds with His own “again” – read Micah 7:19. We are often recipients of others “again.” Then we need to remember how the Lord responded again and again with grace towards us and do the same.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Those tests often come in the form of “again.” There are several reasons why a teacher gives a test: (1) to prove you really do know something; (2) to reveal what you don’t know (even if you think or say you do); and (3) to get you to know. Our best is always at the heart of God’s tests. (For example: Exodus 20:20 - “God has come in order to test you, in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” and Deuteronomy 8:16 – “that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.”) “Again” is proof that God doesn’t give single “pass / fail” tests. The grace of again and again is so we get it right – “so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The again of God is always characterized by grace.
“Again” is hard. It is redundant, regressive and revealing. How can a person go forward or make any progress, when the same thing happens or has to be done again and again? When it is a difficult or unpleasant experience that is being repeated, “again” is easily resented. It is so easy to be angry and bitter. “God, we’ve been through this before!” When that is our attitude we tend to miss the incredible grace in “again.”
What if we adjusted our attitude and perspective and looked at the “again” as “God, we’ve been through this before!”? It is then we remember how God carried us through, the lesson(s) we learned in the process, and the transforming impact of the experience. “Again” allows us the possibility of responding, rather than reacting. We can see “again” as an opportunity to be different, do it different, to have a different attitude and approach, and maybe even a different outcome.
“Again” is an opportunity to trust God. It is an opportunity to respond with Christ-like graciousness. It is also an opportunity to glorify God. If He was glorified the last time, then we should rejoice in the opportunity to do so again and again.
Again will always be a big part of life. It is a challenge, a test, an opportunity and a gift. It is always a choice to learn, grow, trust, depend, and respond with grace and glory.
Making it Personal
What is your reaction to “again?”
How do you feel when a difficult experience rears its ugly head and you have to go through it again?
How does apathy regarding the “agains” of self-centered choices result in the abuse of grace?
How does frustration regarding those irritating “agains” result in hindered grace and glory?
How can the fear of something happening again, thwart stepping out in faith?
How does seeing “again” as an opportunity alter your perspective on this redundant or undesired experience?
