Do we always get a second chance?

In Parashat Devarim (specifically Deut. 1:22-45), Moses recounts the tragic story of the 12 spies. As you know, it is the event which led the Israelites to wander in the desert for 40 years. The spies - with the exception of Joshua and Caleb - all said the Land was unfit, contrary to God's promises. The people agreed and fell into despair. As a result of this incident, God realized that the generation that came out of Egypt was simply not capable, simply did not possess, the faith and the courage needed to settle the Land of Israel.

What is interesting is that after the incident of the 12 spies and God's subsequent verdict, a group of Israelites changed their minds, rallied and boldly entered Israel to fight for the Land, even though God and Moses told them not to. That campaign ended badly. 

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Questions:

• Why was the second campaign a such a failure? 
• Why didn't God support it like the incursion of the 12 spies was initially supported? 
• What happened from the time of the first campaign and the second one that made their outcomes so different one from each other?

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Sometimes, we get one chance to do the right thing. A situation presents itself. We make our decision. And the chips fall where they may. 

The Israelites had that one chance to do it right. The spies went in. They returned and reported. The people flinched. And it was done. There was no second chance for that generation. Just like the song (and Ecclesiastes) says "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."  Once a moment is over and the test either passed or failed, there is no going back. 

It all sounds a little harsh, I know, but the Torah is teaching us that life is like that sometimes. Cheat on a spouse. Commit a crime. Blurt out a hurtful comment. And the damage is done.  We don't always get a second chance to make it all better. 

Think twice. Act once.