Failures Are Not Forever

“And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.” (Ne 8:9 AV)

A portion of Israel had returned to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the temple and walls around the city.  When Nehemiah completed the project of the walls, Ezra declared a time of worship wherein the people would gather at the temple.  They made booths or huts to dwell in while gathered for this special time.  The people called for the reading and explanation of the law.  This they did for the first forth part of the day.  This went on for several days.  As the priests read and explained the law, it occurred to the people just how much the nation had failed God.  They heard the account of the history of their nation and how many times God forgave them and reconciled them.  They heard the requirements of the law and were convicted in their hearts of their utter backslidings of the past.  This brought tears and sorrow to the hearts of the people.  They were so convicted in their hearts they had lost sight of the great restoration which they were now experiencing.  They felt so guilty over what they had done or failed to do, they forget the reality of the present.  That reality was that God forgave them, restored them, and used them to do a great work in spite of adverse circumstances.  This is why Ezra commands the people not to mourn or sorrow.

This past Friday, as I was watching Spencer and Co on Newsmax TV, they interviewed a billionaire author who interviewed other billionaires for his book.  He found some similarities among these men and women who have made an untold fortune.  Then something else happened.  I was studying for the weekend and looking for some quotes to insert.  I forget what it was, exactly, that I was looking for, but some of the quotes which came back were on ‘opportunity’.  One in particular stood out to me.  I didn’t use it because it didn’t go with what I was writing, but the crux of the quote was the difference between two types of people as they respond to adversity.  The first is the person that lets adversity define them.  The second is to see adversity or failure as opportunity.  Which brings me back to the above-mentioned author.  One of the secrets of success which these billionaires shared was failing.  Yet, failing!  They shared the common factor of trying things and failing miserably.  Even embarrassingly so.  But they refused to allow failure to stop them or define them.  They learned from it and used it as the means to success.  I share all this to say state this simple truth.  There is a time to mourn and sorrow over sin and failure.  Then, there is a time to put it in the past and celebrate God’s goodness and grace.

The people were right in feeling guilt over their past failures.  But this guilt should have been resolved the moment confession and sacrifice were made.  They had a choice to make.  Either they exist in a constant state of lamentation over what might have been.  Or, they could be eternally grateful for the fact they were free to return to Jerusalem and restore worship to the one true God.  No, it would never again be like it was under David.  At least not until Messiah comes.  But it is a far cry from slavery in Shushan or Babylon.  They would not have to endlessly pay tribute to a pagan government.  But at least they had the temple back.  They might have to serve a conscript in the armies of a pagan king.  But at least they had their own lands and cattle back.  They may have to endure co-habiting with Gentiles in their own land.  But at least they could form their own local governments and observe their own laws.  Yes, there was much to feel sorrow over.  Yes, they had failed miserably.  But where they failed, the grace of God did much more abound.  We cannot live in guilt and shame forever.  There has to be a time when mourning and sorrow cease.  There has to be a time when the goodness and grace of God take over.  There has to be a time when we celebrate the mercy of God!  Otherwise, our testimony of God is that He does not forgive nor restore.  And that would be a lie.