When Our Failures Cause Us To Lose Sight Of Who God Is
There was no undoing what was done. By that point, replaying the event and circling around all of the should haves and could haves was of little to no use. I made decisions and I wasn’t feeling good about how I’d handled things. Upon realizing I hadn’t acted kindly, shame, slight embarrassment, and regret overwhelmed me.
Being a person to not have received many shots in that particular realm, I felt I had on all accounts blew it. Even more petrifying, was believing perhaps God was done concerning that part of my storyline, based off of my actions.
It is said, no one is harder on you than you are on yourself. And boy do I experience this adage quite a bit. Especially during that case at hand. I admit I’m a Christian, however I don’t always display the fruit of the spirit perfectly or execute perfect judgement. I’d love to always do so but it just doesn’t play out in such a way. And honestly, my heart at times grieves deeply over this inevitable shortcoming.
After a few days of mulling things over, Holy Spirit had me see something. He showed me how I was allowing the shame of my poor handling of things to cause me to lose sight of who God is and has always been.
Who God Is In Spite of Who We Are
An ordinary morning of tackling my personal challenge to read through the entire bible, landed me in Nehemiah 9. Which runs through the cycle of the Israelite failings and God’s compassion.
Coincidence? Well, I thought not.
I lingered for some time on these passages of scripture and through this and a few other promptings, the Spirit reminded me of how the word of God documents numerous accounts of God’s people failing throughout the ages. Yet time and time again, God remains faithful in rescuing His people from their own failures. And God not only saves them but He continues to call them His own and keeps His promises. He doesn’t abandon them but through them, He chose to make a name for Himself (Nehemiah 9:10).
Taking a closer look at some of the most revered men in scripture; even they had their bouts of failures.
Solomon, the wisest man in the bible made foolish decisions. Samson, the strongest man in the bible had weaknesses. David, a man deemed by God to be a “man after His own heart” committed heinous acts.
God has and still continues to work through sinfully flawed people in spite of foreknowing what they’ll do.
Which brings hope to me and also to you who realize that we too are sinfully flawed. But in our foolishness, failings, and weaknesses; God is still gracious, merciful, and kind.
Not to say that there’s never any consequences as a result of certain actions. Let’s not forget, king Solomon reached a point of hating life (Ecclesiastes 2:17) and his kingdom was divided after his death (1 Kings 11:9-13). Samson was blinded, imprisoned, and later died by his own hands (Judges 16). And David’s son with Bathsheba, born out of David’s sinful acts, passed away (2 Samuel 12:18).
But it is to say that God never stops working through our storylines to bring about the good and His purposes. For instance, Solomon was chosen by God to build the temple (1 Chronicles 28:6) and he was also credited for writing Ecclesiastes and parts of Proverbs. Through the act that caused his death, Samson fulfilled his life’s purpose of beginning Israel’s deliverance from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). And Jesus Christ came through the line of David.
Who He Is Brings Hope
Such hope I stepped away with, knowing the compassionate God of the ages continues working through my storyline, accomplishing things that are for the ultimate good and His purposes. And He does so in spite of my shortcomings. This is not only true for me but for all who are called His own.
None of these truths gives us the green light to remain in our mess. But with a repentant heart, it draws us closer to Christ. Repentance is where restoration from our shame takes place.
The bible and life has failure and rescue beautifully woven throughout it. And it all depicts the overarching story of Jesus Christ, the rescuer, saving mankind from sin; abolishing all shame and guilt. Which I would say knowing this, brings strength for our today and bright hope for tomorrow.
My fellow believer, don’t allow the shame of your failures to cause you to lose sight of who God is and has always been. He never stops working to bring about the good and His purposes. He continues to call us His own even when we mess up.
I don’t know what possible shame, guilt, or regret you may be carrying today but know this; the blood of Christ Jesus has paid for the eternal guilt of all sins.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
May you and I know this, may we continue to believe this, and may we live out this.
