You might assume that God prefers to use perfect Christians to accomplish his goals.

But think again. The Bible is filled with stories about broken people who became heroes of the faith.

And today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall cites a stellar example,

the reluctant prophet who was swallowed by a great fish.

In this study, we'll see that God never gives up on us,

even when we've given up on ourselves.

So whether you're carrying guilt, shame, or regret,

this message will remind you that His mercy is as fast as the ocean,

and His grace always gets the last word.

There are so many things I love about our God.

All these great characteristics of our God that make us love Him so,

there is one that always brings me to my knees and overwhelms me with gratitude,

and it is that our God is so merciful, so merciful.

He is full of grace and mercy, for as often as you fail, he is there to hold you fast and to take you on.

Now, the second chance grace of God needs to be understood.

So allow me for a few moments before we look at how it became for Jonah a reason to go on.

What it means is this. His understanding is limitless. He realizes that each one of us is far from perfect.

Oh, we may amass of a mighty fine resume

and we may have impressive credentials,

some more than others,

but God who looks beyond the surface, seeing the heart, reading the motives, knowing the

truth, all of it has an infinite capacity to forgive us at any moment of failure.

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