God’s Unfailing Love
Failure. We all struggle with the fear of failure in one way or another. Many people are stunted or live inhibited and isolated lives for fear of failure. People are often afraid to try things because they might fail. We were made to soar, and yet so many choose to live like clams within protected hard shells.
What does it mean to fail? It means missing our intended mark. That mark, of course, varies from person to person. Some people set such high expectations that they are bound to fail – perfection is impossible. Others set their marks so low because they are afraid they might fail a higher goal. Some stop trying altogether for fear of failure. Is that what God really wants for His children?
When I read Psalm 52, the writer speaks of himself as blossoming or flourishing in the house of God:
7 “Here now is the man
who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
and grew strong by destroying others!”
8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
9 I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
How can he flourish like an olive tree? How can he praise God so freely in the presence of other saints? It is this: He trusts in God’s unfailing love.
Humanly we think if we miss our mark, people will think less of us. We are perhaps more foolish or less capable or less worthy as a result of missing the mark. Consequently, people either overwork themselves to ensure perfect results, or they don’t even try. You know what the main problem with this is? These people are too concerned about what others think of them. Now, I’m not talking about mission critical activities where a bomb is going to blow the world to smitherines if they fail. I’m talking about people afraid to soar by stepping off the ledge of insecurity and fear, people afraid what others will think.
Do you want to live as God intended, to soar rather than hide? The answer lies in trusting in God’s unfailing love. We may miss the mark at times (perhaps many times), but knowing that God’s love will never fail despite our failures ought to give us strength to keep on trying to fly. How might you live knowing that no matter the outcome, there is our Father in heaven whose love and care will never miss the mark in our life?
For those struggling with fear, consider Whose thoughts of you matter most. If we will care more about God’s thoughts of us rather than man’s… ah, now that’s when we can begin to step out of our shells and “flourish in the house of God.” Remember, God’s love is unfailing. There are no conditions placed on His children. There are no perfomance requirements. His love will never fail us. Amen.
