I Have Failed

In John 13:38 Jesus answered ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times’. These were Christ’s words in response to Peter’s promise to be ready to die with Him.

We see the fulfilment of Christ’s words in John 18:15-27. Peter denied Christ three times. Many of us can relate to Peter. Maybe we haven’t outrightly denied Jesus, but we have failed Him. We may have made promises to the Lord that we did not keep. We may have disobeyed the Lord in shameful ways. Some may have forsaken the zeal they used to have for the Lord when they first got saved and simply become complacent. David committed murder and adultery and the book of Psalms documents the shame and pain he felt. But he repented and at the end of it all, God still referred to David as ‘a man after His own heart’ (Acts 13:22). Samson could not control his lust for women. We know where this landed him; blind and bound up in chains. But God granted Him another chance to fulfil his purpose; although it cost Samson his life, he accomplished his purpose. Abraham failed to be patient with God. God promised him a son and 15 years had passed since the promise. Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands and Ishmael was born. Despite this, God still blessed Abraham with the promised son Isaac. Abraham failed, but when he had to set things right and send Ishmael and his mother away, he obediently did so. Corrections can be made after failing.

You see, many have failed along life’s journey. As you read this,  you may feel like you have failed God. But you can always come back to Him  in humility. Recognize that you have not kept the word of the Lord and acknowledge that you have broken the heart of your Savior.

All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. - Isaiah 66:2

As mighty as God is, He will give ear to the humble and contrite in spirit when we approach Him about our shortcomings. According to Webster 1828 dictionary, humility is defined as: not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive. Being contrite means showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming. In other words, when we come to the Lord, we should put off the garment of pride and our hearts should be in a state of remorse.  We serve a merciful God, He is ever ready to receive us when we come to Him sincerely. Peter wept bitterly and repented (Luke 22:62), and the Lord heard his cry. After he failed, God still used him. Besides, God knows everything before it even happens! Proverbs 24:16 teaches us that the righteous may fall seven times but still get up. Seven times! Yet, He is more than willing to work in your life for His own glory if you come to him. So come to him, today.

You may feel like you have failed God. But you can always come back to Him in humility. Recognize that you have not kept the word of the Lord and acknowledge that you have broken the heart of your Savior. Share on X

Hebrews 3:15 “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.

For some reading this, it’s not even a case where you say ‘I have failed’ – rather it’s a situation where you say ‘I have failed AGAIN’- but even at this, God is able! Peter failed not once, not twice, but three times! God was still merciful towards Him. Come to Him with your failures, His mercy will be made available unto you. If you find yourself falling into the same sin over and over again read ‘I can’t stop’.