Many a time I’ve approached an edge,
from a cliff to a ledge,
from a steep drop,
or even a marshy looking swath of forest.
Stop! Too close to danger. Backup!
Gingerly, I slip backwards along the path I just walked.
If all goes well, there’s not a root waiting to trip on.
Danger at bay, take a bearing on where you are.
What’s next? How do I take my next step?
From all the times I’ve made this move successfully,
There are many times I failed and fell.
Whether over the edge, or the stumble behind
I’ve fallen. But I’m still here today. A Testimony!
Winston Churchill:
“Success is not final,
failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Failure is often a single step in the journey.
It doesn’t have to be the end of the road.
How many steps are marginal? Successful?
When you are too close to failing, step back.
Take stock of where and what.
Identify a solution and keep pushing forward!
“Failure is success in progress.” ~Albert Einstein
Israel was in a fight for victory,
Only, the challenger was not just the army,
It was a giant, bigger than all the rest.
Goliath. We know his name well.
Lose to the challenger and all will be lost.
Win? You get the total victory!
How do you face the uncertainty?
David heard the challenge, “Is there not a cause?”
Then David said to Saul,
“Let no man’s heart fail because of him;
your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:32 NKJV
I’ve fought a lion and a bear.
Goliath is nothing more than a beast.
I don’t need your armor.
I have my sling and stones.
I’ll challenge this giant and win!
Then David said to the Philistine,
“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.
But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand,
and I will strike you and take your head from you.
And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines
to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth,
that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear;
for the battle is the LORD’s,
and He will give you into our hands.”
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David,
that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone;
and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead,
so that the stone sank into his forehead,
and he fell on his face to the earth.
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone,
and struck the Philistine and killed him.
But there was no sword in the hand of David.
1 Samuel 17:45-50 NKJV
I keep stories like this close to my heart. When I’m faced with a challenge, or possible defeat, I encourage myself with Biblical truth. True, I love to study historical references and can find many quotes and stories, but there’s nothing grander than trust in the Lord with all you might, and do not lean on your own understanding.
My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
Proverbs 3:1-8 NKJV
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