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Text:  Psalm 37:24

Is Failure Always Fatal?

Introduction

We learn from our text that good men may fall, but are never utterly cast down. Several years ago I wrote this adage in the back of my Bible: "There is nothing fatal about failure, and nothing final about success!" Every spiritual success must be seasoned with appreciation for the grace of God, knowing that today’s manna will not suffice for tomorrow. Every spiritual failure can be assigned a cause, and appropriate Biblical measures can be taken to remedy defeat. I would like to make two points about failure, and then offer a final word of encouragement.

Observations

I.   Failure Is Oftentimes Unavoidable

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offered this admonition to Peter and the disciples: "What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (26:40-41). The scene is the garden of Gethsemane. The Lord is agonizing, and the disciples are sleeping! The verbs "watch" and "pray" are plural and imperative. It is the group as a whole that is admonished. The second verb "pray" is middle voice, signifying that prayer under these trying circumstances was in the disciples’ personal and best interest. They themselves would be the direct benefactors of prayerfulness! One hour was not too much to ask, and temptation was the alternative. The urging of Jesus went unheeded, and at His third return they hear these words--"Sleep on now" (26:45).

These words are pregnant with significance! What Jesus essentially told these men was that their failure was assured. The opportunity for prayer preparation was gone! Failure was unavoidable! Brethren, God’s historical time clock moves on, with us or without us. Windows of opportunity open, and then they close! Our failure to watch and pray makes spiritual failure unavoidable! God graciously grants windows of opportunity for pastors, churches, marriages and nations. Sadly, the opportunities slip away, and Jesus says, "Sleep on now!" Failure in spiritual combat is unavoidable!

II.  Failure Is Sometimes Unacceptable

Take the example of Jonah, who was commanded by God to proclaim repentance to Nineveh. He flees from the presence of the Lord by paying the fare for a ship to Tarshish. In the midst of the ensuing storm he is "fast asleep" in the sides of the ship (Jonah 1:5). In verse 6 the shipmaster inquires, "What meanest thou, O sleeper?". So here is another sleeper content to allow a window of opportunity to pass him by. But for Jonah failure was unacceptable! Instead of saying, "Sleep on now Jonah! I have another prophet! You’ve blown it, son!", God releases the hounds of goodness and mercy on His man, and brings the reluctant preacher to the wicked city of Nineveh. God works His pity and compassion in spite of the prophet! O wonder of wonders, my friend, that God in His sovereign pleasure chooses to use any of us for His glory!

Conclusion

Peter, who departed the high priest’s palace as a defeated and broken man, "went out, and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75). Following the resurrection, he and 6 other disciples received a gracious invitation to "Come and dine" (John 21:12) on the shores of Galilee. Following the ascension, Peter and about 120 others spent 10 days in prayerful anticipation of the promise of the Spirit. On the day of Pentecost He came. God’s clock continued to run, the next window opened, and Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, was ready for combat! God-anointed preaching, 3000 conversions! Brethren, when we fail, let us ascertain the cause, seek the face of God in prayer, and wait patiently for the next window of opportunity. Failure is not always fatal!

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