There Is No Mistake Too Big for God to Redeem
BRD REFLECTION 2026
Genesis 38:20–30 and Psalm 104:10–18 (NIV)
(Carol Liew, Worship Leader, Worship & Music Ministry)
READ:
Focus on Genesis 38:20–30 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
As with Judah and Tamar, our lives can take many messy turns. At this point in the story, Tamar is widowed and abandoned by Judah’s family. Judah himself becomes widowed, and on a whim decides to proposition a shrine prostitute. The shrine prostitute turns out to be Tamar in disguise; she had set out to trick him because Judah’s family had abandoned her to live as a widow. She is almost put to death for becoming pregnant, but eventually Judah realises that he was the one who had made her pregnant. He repents and calls Tamar more righteous than he (v. 26). She gives birth to twins, and the midwife thinks that Zerah, whose hand reaches out first from the womb, will be born first, but it turns out that the other twin, Perez, comes out first.
We know now that Perez and his parents, Judah and Tamar, were all part of Jesus’ genealogy (see Matthew 1:3).
APPLY:
This story of Judah and Tamar sounds exactly like a drama with many twists and turns, as in the best of our South Korean and Chinese television series. I have learnt three lessons from this story:
- There can be many twists and turns in life, and the decisions that I make may or may not be right, but God’s ultimate plans will not be thwarted.
- God knows what I am like, and in spite of all my failings, He still uses me to fulfil His promises. If I, like Judah, can recognise when I am wrong and turn from my wicked ways, God can use my every circumstance for His purposes.
- Finally, there is no mistake too big for God to redeem.
DO:
If I feel caught in the drama of life, I will ask God to search my heart. I will repent if I have done wrong. If I am not sure, I won’t beat myself up but will trust that God’s plan is a good plan and one that will fulfil His purpose. I am reminded of Romans 8:28 (NLT): “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
PRAY:
Dear God, I am feeling lost and abandoned in life, and I do not know what I should do next. Help me make good and right decisions. If there is any decision that I have made which is not pleasing to You, forgive me and help me back on the right path. Thank You that You are a God who redeems every situation for Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
