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Success in the Place of Failure

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
Luke 5:5

God has a wonderful way of restoring us when we've failed. He doesn't: a) criticize or belittle us; we do that to ourselves b) simply overlook our shortcomings c) tell us to try harder next time. No, He brings victory from defeat by taking us back to the place of failure and producing something good from it. We assume that because we weren't successful at something, it wasn't God's will. But the truth usually is that we failed because we relied on our own strength instead of His! After Peter had fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus didn't say, "Don't worry, you won't be doing this much longer anyway." No, He said, "Row into the deep water and let your nets down" (Luke 5:4). When Peter obeyed they, "caught so many fish that their nets began ripping" (Luke 5:6). God has a way of getting our attention through failure! That rocky marriage, that child you're about to give up on, that assignment that seems too hard: God won't just let you abandon them. No, He wants you to learn from them, to discover the difference He can make in your situation. Even though Peter wanted to give up, he replied, "nevertheless, at Your Word I will let down the net." One Word from Jesus, just one, can change everything and put success within your reach again. And where do you find such a Word? In His presence - and in His Book.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, bring me back to the place I failed and help me succeed – following your directive not mine! In Jesus' Name, Amen