Topic: Frustrated By Failure? [DCLM Daily Manna 14 January 2019 Daily Devotional]
Text: Exodus 5:15-23 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil unto this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all” (Exodus 5:22,23).
MESSAGE:
Imagine the kind of crushing feeling you have when you know you have fully prepared for a project or a task, but failed woefully or met a serious resistance at first attempt.
Moses and the elders of Israel did not expect to meet the kind of reaction they got from Pharaoh, nor were they prepared for it. Not with the kind of assurance he had received from his miraculous encounter with God and the many other signs he has given. Buoyed with these and the encouraging acceptance from the elders of Israel, Moses and Aaron marched confidently to Pharaoh to present their demand. But Pharaoh reacted in rage. He claimed not to know the God they were talking about and swore not to let them step out of Egypt. To worsen things, he decided to give them tougher tasks and increased their hardship. This not being what they bargained for, the elders of Israel poured their frustration on Moses, wishing he had never come up with the idea of leaving in the first place. Moses too could not hide his pain and frustration as he wished he was never sent on such a mission.
The experiences of most Christians may not be different from that of Moses. They may experience tough resistance or failure in ministry, marriage, career of business. But for the latter experiences of Moses, they should learn not to allow initial disappointment or opposition to seal their fate. Most good projects meet with initial failures. What you need is the staying power to remain resilient and steadfast.
Like Moses, if you go back to God with your feeling, you are sure to bounce back with renewed strength and courage to press on until you succeed. Don’t let first failure frustrate you. You can still succeed if you press on in faith.
Thought For The Day: That you failed once does not mean you will fail again; never give up.
Bible Reading In One Year: Genesis 41-44
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
