When I Fail
“I have tested the words in this passage and found them to be true.”
Psalm 73:23-26 (NKJV)
Nevertheless, I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward, receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Reflection
One of the many blessings that come with salvation is the capacity to view our circumstances through the lens of eternity. The hope we have in Jesus extends to the issues we face on this side of heaven. The psalmist, Asaph, gives us great insight into God’s promises that He is with us through any failure we experience. Our troubles may be desperate, but they are temporary, and knowing that we will be in His presence forever gives us the strength we need to persevere. God Himself confirms Asaph’s declaration of divine comfort when we are afraid:
For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13).
This world cannot offer such peace and perspective amid the storms of life. The mantra of our culture that “you are enough” suggests that we alone possess the power to overcome any failure if we do not give up—good advice if you are trying to invent the light bulb, but these are frustrating words for the tormented mind. For years, I suffered from severe depression as a result of my failures. Everywhere I turned for relief took me further down a path of hopelessness that would have ended in death had I not looked to God for help. I have tested the words in this passage and found them to be true. Now I meditate on them with the assurance that I am not defined by my failures, I am defined by the One who loves me all the way through them.
Action Step
Think about the areas of your life where you feel you are just a breath away from failure. Commit these feelings to God and ask Him for His strength and wisdom to endure to the end.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for saving me out of all my fears and failures. Thank You for giving me the wisdom to seek godly help and the strength to persevere victoriously. Amen!
Nevertheless, I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward, receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Reflection
One of the many blessings that come with salvation is the capacity to view our circumstances through the lens of eternity. The hope we have in Jesus extends to the issues we face on this side of heaven. The psalmist, Asaph, gives us great insight into God’s promises that He is with us through any failure we experience. Our troubles may be desperate, but they are temporary, and knowing that we will be in His presence forever gives us the strength we need to persevere. God Himself confirms Asaph’s declaration of divine comfort when we are afraid:
For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13).
This world cannot offer such peace and perspective amid the storms of life. The mantra of our culture that “you are enough” suggests that we alone possess the power to overcome any failure if we do not give up—good advice if you are trying to invent the light bulb, but these are frustrating words for the tormented mind. For years, I suffered from severe depression as a result of my failures. Everywhere I turned for relief took me further down a path of hopelessness that would have ended in death had I not looked to God for help. I have tested the words in this passage and found them to be true. Now I meditate on them with the assurance that I am not defined by my failures, I am defined by the One who loves me all the way through them.
Action Step
Think about the areas of your life where you feel you are just a breath away from failure. Commit these feelings to God and ask Him for His strength and wisdom to endure to the end.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for saving me out of all my fears and failures. Thank You for giving me the wisdom to seek godly help and the strength to persevere victoriously. Amen!
Recent
Archive
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show LoveAnswering the Call
March
HosannaWhat a MiracleI Speak Jesus InhabitJesus Over EverythingThe Risky Call of DiscipleshipGod's Presence in Our VulnerabilityThe Sword of TruthThe Power of Small Acts of KindnessEnduring Faith in the Face of AdversityGod's Perfect TimingAnswering the CallEmpowered for ServiceEmbracing God's Greater PurposeFaithfulness in TrialsAnswering God's CallOvercoming Doubt and FearPerseverance in ObedienceGod's Faithfulness in Our JourneyMountaintop Experiences and Everyday Faith The Danger of Covetousness
April
Trust in God's ProvisionInvesting in God's KingdomThe Deceitfulness of WealthLiving for EternityTrusting God's TimingWalking in Bold FaithObedience When It’s HardThe Power of Your InfluenceRemembering God’s GoodnessThe King We NeedThe Exchange of InnocenceFrom Death to LifeTrue Freedom in ChristThe Power of Sacrificial LoveThe Relentless Love of the Good ShepherdCelebrating the FoundThe Father’s Unconditional LoveThe Heart of JesusHope in God's Unfailing LoveUnmet Expectations and God's LoveFaith in the Midst of ConfusionThe Power of God's Presence
May
Hope Beyond Present CircumstancesTrusting God's Love in SufferingSeeing God’s Hand ClearlyRekindling Your Spiritual FireLearning to Trust the TeacherLoving God Through ActionGrowing Through CorrectionPosture of DependenceReceiving the InvitationWalking the Hard but Holy RoadFreedom Through GraceAnchored in PeaceEmbracing the Rhythm of RestReframing the Sabbath Through Jesus
No Comments