Daily Devotion: Failing to Succeed

Scripture:
Matthew 25: 24-30

Main Verse:
Matthew 25: 29
For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

Observation:
The two servants in the parable of the bags of gold were wise enough to invest the gold entrusted to them by their master. The third servant who was given one bag of gold was so afraid of failing that he just hid the gold instead of doing something to increase it.

Our fears will hinder us from achieving our full potential. Most successful businessmen and CEOs, famous inventors, well-known actors and actresses failed first before becoming successful. Even great heroes of the Bible experienced failures. Job was a rich man who followed the Lord, but he lost everything--his wealth was struck by tragedy, his children died, and he had a crippling disease. David was annointed King over all of Israel, yet he committed murder and adultery. Peter was Jesus's disciple, but he denied Jesus three times. But what is common among these men is that they never lost hope, they did not remain in their failures, and they continued serving and following the Lord.

Application:
There are two ways to look at the phrase "failing to succeed." You can either say "I have failed to be successful" or "I will go through failures in order to succeed." It all depends on our perspective. If we look at failures as a dead-end street, we will not be able to reach our destination. In our walk with God, we will experience failures and misery. But remember that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). So let us press on toward our goal to win our price in heaven in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3: 13-14). Let us forget our failures so we can seize our future with the Lord!

Prayer:
Father, I am amazed at your wonderful ways! Indeed, I am more than a conqueror because I have Jesus with me. Thank you for reminding me that whatever failures I have had in the past have already been buried and that I have a grest future ahead of me. Thank you for your son Jesus who gives me the courage and strength. Continue to hold my hand, Lord, so that no matter what comes my way, I may be able to stand up and continue walking toward my goal. This I pray in the Mighty Name of Your Son Jesus. AMEN.