And You Think You've Failed...

There’s an innumerable amount of times I’ve felt pain for the choices I’ve made; suffering from the consequences. Times like these are perfect to entertain notions that ‘I’ve blown it this time,’ or that “God has moved on and will use someone else.” and that there’s just no way to restoration.

Let me tell you about 5 men that failed. But got back up…

1. King David And All Em’ Sins

We all know King David. The Man after God’s heart, the man who swung off his skirt dancing. The man who was glad when they said unto him, “Let us go into the house of The Lord!” Yeahhh he’s got his share of sins; coveted Uriah’s wife (2 Samuel 11:2-3), committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:4), lied to Uriah about it (2 Samuel 11:12–13), and eventually kills him (2 Samuel 12:9).

Prophet Nathan confronts him and he immediately repents and confesses his sin. David’s son to Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife) gets sick. David declares a fast and mourns before God in prayer. But his son dies. And David accepts this as God’s judgement for his actions. Even after all his wrongdoings, scripture clearly shows us in black and white God’s love for David and how much He had a special place in His heart for him.

Lesson: God’s forgiveness may not save us from the consequences of our actions. But understand that wherever the consequences of your actions take you, know that if you are willing, God will still use you. Even if you find yourself serving time. Remember David. After everything, he allowed God use him to write all those beautiful Psalms we enjoy today.

2. Prophet Elijah’s Breakdown

“Elijah broke down?” Yesssss fam!

Elijah experienced so much of the miraculous. For over 3 years, he caused rain not to fall (1 Kings 17:1), he was fed by RAVENS! (1 Kings 17:4) if you know the behaviours of ravens, you’d know what I mean. Ravens are very selfish. They do not share. They’re also sly with their playful nature. They’re known as scavengers but skilful hunters too. But ravens fed Elijah. And God caused it.

He witnessed the widow’s son come back to life (1 Kings 17:22), and beat the prophets of Baal by calling down fire from Heaven (1 Kings 18:38). But when that didn’t go down well with angry King Ahab and Jezebel, they wished him dead and Elijah couldn’t take it. The pressure of being wanted dead by the King got to him and he eloped into the wilderness (I guess his episode of depression?). God followed him into the wilderness and met him feeling so undone, isolated, discouraged and he felt like he was the only prophet left.

God responded to Elijah allowing him to rest, catered to his complaints and encouraged him with a still small voice; reassuring him that he wasn’t alone.

Lesson: Burning out in life is only permanent if you allow it to be. Don’t listen to everything you’re tempted to believe when you feel burnt out. Whether it’s work, ministry, family; take time to care for yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally—and then get back in the game.

3. John Goes AWOL

Paul and Barnabas pick up John on the way back from a mission trip to Jerusalem to take him with them to Antioch. (Acts 12:25) From Antioch Paul and Barnabas are then sent to Cyrus and take John with them as an assistant (Acts 13:1–5). Along the way, John gets fed up and throws in the towel. After sailing to Perga, John goes AWOL and returns to Jerusalem. The going gets tough and he quits.

Years later, Barnabas tells Paul they should find John. Paul refuses, they get into an argument and separate.

Paul who years later was in prison awaiting trial wrote a letter to the church in Colossae. He tells them that John has been a great comfort to him in the past and are to listen to him if he shows up. This is the kid that disappointed Paul. The kid who’s personality had once caused great division in the church. But now, is a son of consolation To Paul.

Lesson: Everyone’s journey is different. We all grow differently. The fact that we failed once doesn’t mean that we’re not cut out for it. Sometimes we try to operate at a level that we’re not mature enough to handle. Trust your God, trust your journey.

4. Paul’s Past

Paul is that guy that wrote most of the books in the New Testament. But before he became that, he was Saul of Tarsus, the terror to the early church (Acts 9). And not only was he alive during the time of Stephen, the first Christian matyr was killed…he was the one who gave his approval for the murder.

Paul made it his business to destroy the church. Going door to door, looking for followers of Jesus to jail. And he didn’t stop there. He would hunt down the Christians prisoners sent their letters to. He one day had an encounter with Jesus and the rest is history.

Did he regret his behaviour? Of course he did. His letter to Timothy said:

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” - 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Lesson: For those of us who decide to surrender our lives to Jesus after so many regrets of our behaviours, we feel unqualified for service but still have this little feeling of hope within us, hoping that Jesus can have mercy on us and still use us as though we were white as snow. The good news is that the gospel does just that for us; declares us justified; declares us blame free.

5. Peter’s Denial

Peter was the biggest personality in any room. No wonder he was a confidant of Jesus just as James and John. Peter; the first disciple willing to walk on water and the first disciple to call Jesus The Son of God.

The evil day approaches when Jesus predicts Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:34–35). Jesus is arrested and Peter is confronted, being a follower of Jesus. And just as Jesus had spoken, Peter denies Him. 3 times. Peter realises what’s happened and breaks into tears.

Does Jesus write him off after the prediction comes to pass? The complete opposite. Peter is the first of the 12 disciples Jesus appears to after arising from the dead. As if that honour wasn’t enough, He then restores and comforts Peter at the Sea of Galilee during a touching encounter. Peter later on becomes the leader of the disciples and holds a crusade where 3,000 people get saved.

Lesson: Failure doesn’t qualify you…even if you’ve been following Jesus after some time.