Failure in your walk is not the end

By Peter Crause

1Kings 19:1-4 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done; including how he had slain all the prophets of Baal with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don’t make not your life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. “And when he heard that, he arose, and fled for his life, and came to Beersheba, which is in Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. “

The prophet Elijah is one of the remarkable characters whose life and ministry is recorded in the scriptures for us. He is one who never saw physical death. He was taken up in a “chariot of fire”; at which time his “mantle” fell onto his successor Elisha. Elijah was well known to the Israelites; in fact some even said that Jesus was Elijah.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus – and note that the disciples who accompanied Jesus who had never seen Elijah recognized him. Elijah was one of the “greats” of Israel’s history. Reading about his life we find many miraculous events in his life; he raised the dead; miraculously fed a widow and her son; was miraculously fed by ravens; called fire from God and returned a “backsliding” nation to God; prayed for rain – and it rained; was caught up to heaven. Prior to being caught away we read about his encounter with Obadiah; king Ahab’s servant. (1 Kings 18) In that record we see that Obadiah refers to Elijah being “carried away by the Spirit”; evidently something that had happened before. Thus it makes sense why the students at the “school of the prophets” went looking for Elijah after he was taken up by the chariots of fire. Today we would call this phenomenon “teleporting”; but it was only under God’s control.

We would naturally think that such a “saint” or great “holy man” would not fail in any way. Surely he had reached the apex of “spirituality”? Since Elijah had such a wealth of experience of the Lord’s miraculous working in his life, it is inconceivable that he would finally fail so miserably and run for his life from a woman. But be assured; he did fail and demonstrated how painfully human he was – a good lesson to us should we “fly so high” we think we are sinless and perfect – or think others are. Elijah failed; but it wasn’t the end. We too may and will fail – but it is not the end!

I fear we have such a small view of God. We attribute human traits and characteristics to Him who is the source of all life. We think God’s ways are like our ways – but in reality they are far above us; His thoughts are far above our thoughts. Do we really think that anything we do was not foreknown and foreseen by God? Can anything we do take God by surprise? Do we think God made a mistake in calling or leading us in a particular path? God foreknows everything and has prepared for everything we can and will do. His plan for us extends way beyond any failure we may have – failure is not the end! Failure is merely a hiccup; merely an intermission; merely a rest; merely a time to take stock and re-plan; merely a stepping-stone to the next victory – do not give up now!

Read on and see the remainder of Elijah’s life – his ministry never abated, even though he was told to anoint Elisha to be the next prophet in his place. His ministry on earth was drawing to a close; he was about to be “translated” and not die a physical death.

We read in scripture of another who failed miserably, yet became Peter the Apostle; who was used to preach the first Spirit Anointed sermon on the day of Pentecost; whose simple sermon won thousands into the Kingdom of God. Peter was a “reed” shaken by every wind of opposition, but became Peter the “rock”; stable and a true Apostle of Jesus. He failed in doubt after walking on the water. He failed by denying Jesus with cursing – till the cock crew and reminded him. Jesus knew all these things would happen – but never gave up on him.

Do you think maybe Jesus knows you that well? Do you think that just maybe He knows all your faults and weaknesses? Do you think that maybe He’s not done with you yet? Do you think there’s maybe still “some mileage” in your life for Him and His Kingdom?

Maybe you’ve failed miserably and feel the Lord has forsaken and abandoned you. Maybe Satan is whispering in your ear – it’s over; you’re done for; God hates you now – do not believe his lies! Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us. Nothing can take us out of His hands. He still has a foreordained purpose for your life. He still has a vital ministry for you. Look to Him in humility. Admit your failure to Him – He will forgive and restore. He is the God of restoration – it is not the end. The end of our earthly ministry and usefulness only comes when we go to be with the Lord; be it by rapture or death.

Forget the things behind – press forth to what lies ahead – it could be more glorious than anything in the past.