FAILURE IS NOT FINAL
Bible authors wrote realistically of human failure.
Noah found grace in the sight of god, and built a boat to God’s specifications. He preached repentance faithfully over 120 years, and pleaded with the people to change their behaviour and turn to God before the flood of judgment. But he and his family were the only ones to seek refuge in the ark. After the flood subsided Noah grew vines to replenish the earth, yet drunk with the wine from his own pressed grapes. He failed morally when his nakedness brought shame to his sons, who looked to their father as a role-model.
Abraham willingly obeyed God by leaving his father’s prosperous home in Ur to live in a tent. Yet he failed God as he lied to Pharoah in Egypt by introducing Sarah as his sister, therein incurring the king’s rebuke and wrath.
God promised Abraham a son from Sarah. But, impatient at the delayed conception, sadly he agreed with his wife’s suggestion to sleep with Hagar. While Hagar joyfully delivered Ishmael, Abraham’s conscience failed him.
Moreover, the graphic description of David’s failure to resist adultery with Bathsheba almost denies the description of David as ‘ a man after God’s own heart.’
From the New Testament , we may easily censure Martha. Her hospitality probably gained her wide reputation because of her cooking prowess. Yet Jesus rebuked her for spending too much time in the kitchen so that she failed to feed her soul and spirit, so different from Mary’s hunger for Jesus’ teaching.
God graciously taught each character a valuable lesson. He knew the intent of the heart, in spite of the mistakes. God never winked away their failures, or sin, as He observed their humanity and weak choices. According to His grace, their failure was not final.
The gallery of faith in Hebrews 11 lists Abraham, Sarah, and Noah. With God’s activity in their lives each repented, although their actions reaped a harvest.
Isaac’s descendants always vary with those of Ishmael in their allegiance to God and their response to Jesus Christ, while David paid the price of losing four sons.
Often women are lost to christian ministry because they look back to some failure or mistake, rather from learning. Often minor errors of judgment or choice dull our service and ministry when not seen in their true ligh t. Repent, change, learn and press on. Paul challenges us to ‘forget the things that are behind us, and press on in the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ‘ ( Philippians 3:13 )
One morning I met a widow who chaired a meeting the previous night. She was nervous and made a few mistakes.
‘ I could not sleep last night,’ she told me, ‘ as I thought of my errors in leading last night. I am a failure, and I’ll never lead a meeting again.’
I was about to offer comfort when a mutual friend joined us. Turning to the widow she said,
‘ I really appreciated what you said last night, although you seemed a little nervous.
You really encouraged me.’ What seemed a failure to one proved a blessing to another.
God sees beyond the mistakes to the love, willingness , and devotion to Him. However, deliberate sin requires confession, repentance and forgiveness and therefore freedom from guilt.
Mothers often express failing their children, although they nurtured them with good motives. If possible rectify any mistakes, and especially with prayer restore broken relationships. Pray for wisdom and grace without carrying any guilt for the past.
A friend once rebuked me for my aggressive witnessing. While I desired to share my faith, my forthright approach offended, and often failed. I acknowledged my fault , and wondered how many people I had hurt. With God’s help and love I changed, and learned to speak with compassion, together with a willingness to listen.
God is faithful. From Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, came the distinct people groups of the world.
Sarah and Abraham begot Isasc, who was willing for his father to sacrifice him on Mt. Moriah, and God provided the ram in the thicket. The occasion pictures Jesus Christ offered as the sacrificial lamb.
David wrote many of the Psalms which comfort us in times of testing.
Faithful Martha understood when Jesus explained to her the wonderful truth which sustains when christian loved ones and friends die – " I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. ‘
In spite of the failing, depend on the love and understanding of God.
Look forward and press on. Failure is not final.
If this article has reached you, please contact Gwenda