Failure

I’ve been thinking about failure and success a lot lately. I decided to do a little research into what kind of failures successful people have had. I started with the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11. Here we find Noah. We all know how he was chosen by God to build the ark because he was the only righteous man on earth, but did you know that he accidentally got drunk afterward? Or what about Abraham?

He had faith and obeyed when God told him to go, even though he didn’t know where he was going. Yet Abraham lied to the Egyptians that Sarah was his sister instead of his wife. Jacob is listed as a man of faith, yet he fooled his dad to get his brother Esau’s birthright, he wrestled with God, and showed favoritism among his children.

We know the story of how Moses led Israel out of Egypt. But remember that Moses killed an Egyptian for beating a fellow Hebrew, thought he stuttered too much to deliver God’s message to Pharaoh, and struck a rock because he was angry with the people’s whining and complaining (God had told him to speak to it instead).

Samson is also listed in Hebrews, but didn’t he allow his hair to be cut off? David was chosen to be king of Israel, yet got in trouble with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed. Now before you think this is all about the men, Rahab is listed here, too.

Rahab had faith and kept the spies safe then requested safety for her and her family. She even appears in Jesus’ genealogy. And she was a prostitute!

God knows the beginning and ending of the whole story, and everybody in between. God called these people, knowing they would make mistakes, and they are highlighted in Hebrews. God calls us, knowing we will make mistakes, and He still wants us! And look at the amazing company we share!

Memory Verse:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”
– Hebrews 11:1-2 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Dear God, thank You that we do not have to be perfect. Thank You for calling and using us in spite of our mistakes. And thank You for Jesus so we don’t have to do it alone….”

Contributing Writer:
Jennifer Widner