Father, I thank you that the failures as well as the successes of people in the past are recorded in the Scriptures. As I see my failures, I see also Your amazing love. I am sorry for the hurt I have caused You - and sometimes still cause, and I ask Your forgiveness. Lord Jesus, in paying for my sin on that terrible cross, Your love freed me from the penalty of death. May I now serve You with all my heart, all my mind, all my strength and with all my soul. And may I serve others as You do, too. Amen

In a radio interview some years ago, a company

owner spoke about how his finance director had

made the company great. “But isn’t he the same

man that was imprisoned for embezzlement after

almost ruining you?” asked the interviewer.

“Oh, yes,” the owner replied. “He was good, but he

used his knowledge selfishly and was caught. He paid

for it in prison. But when he had served his time he

came to say how sorry he was. When I offered him

his job back he almost fell off his chair. He is now the most loyal, most hard working - and most brilliant finance director I know - and I now know I can trust him completely.”

The programme caused a lot of reaction - both for and against. Some thought the finance director should have paid for the rest of his life for the harm he caused. Others saw how the compassion of the owner was able to rebuild a shattered life into a better one than it had been before.

Jesus said, “He who has been forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

It is when we look at ourselves in the mirror of God’s word that we see just how disobedient we have been - and sometimes still are. Those who compare themselves to ‘selected’ others will always appear righteous in their own eyes, but those who know what failures they are, and who know that Jesus loves us in spite of our failures, find real forgiveness and a new life of true righteousness. They also know that with such love they can do anything their Lord asks.

Adam & Eve - (Genesis Chapters 1. 2 & 3)

It started so well, too. Then failure - and the excuses for disobedience! We all know it well - we have all inherited the same problem.

But, thank God, God’s love is greater. Right there at the beginning, chapter 3v.15 He provided the solution to our problem of sin.  And the answer is Himself. Only when we get to the cross do we see the answer clearly. Fallen mankind - restored again. How can I ever thank You enough, Lord.

Jacob - (Genesis Chapters 25 to 33)

Jacob - ‘the deceiver’.  Another incredible tale of God’s faithfulness to those who truly search for Him.  Many have wrestled with God since Jacob’s struggle, and for those who do there is always the blessing - a blessing beyond our dreams. And so Jacob is renamed Israel (Genesis ch 32 v. 28).

Lord, when I struggle with the meaning of life and everything about me, may I know Your blessing, too. Keep me in Your ways, Lord, always.

Gideon - (Judges Chapters 6 to 8)

The weakest; the smallest; of no consequence?

Couldn’t be better for God’s purpose! But see the change! Little by little, building confidence that God is already at work ahead of us. Our part is to listen and do that task, small or great, that God has assigned us.  Gideon did, and won a great victory over oppression. You think you’re too small; of no consequence? Listen to the Word of God and change the world! Lord, I’m listening.

David - (1 & 2 Samuel)

A brilliant start. Faithful, courageous, honest.

Then power and the great stumbling block, pride. And what a mess - lust, adultery and murder!

But David knows where he must go when the human spirit fails - back to God. Notice his prayer? “Against you only, Lord, have I sinned.” David held nothing back and accepted the discipline, and so becomes the greatest king - until the real King of kings arrives. Thank You, Lord.

Saul - (Acts Chapter 7 on)

Probably the greatest brain of his age - but it wasn’t knowledge that was Saul’s problem, it was using it the right way! And turning around meant turning his name around too; Saul becomes Paul.

See what happens when God’s Spirit blows through our knowledge? The persecutor becomes the greatest evangelist of all time!  Lord, fill my mind with Your Spirit, too, so that in Your power alone I may take Your love to others today.

Peter - (John Chapters 18 to 21)

He started out as Simon the fisherman. But the man who was just a fisherman led the greatest revolution on earth - Jesus called him Peter; the rock. It’s easy to think that from then on all was simple - but look how often he still gets it wrong.

What made Peter strong was, like king David, knowing where to turn when it all went bad. The true rock, Jesus, is always there. Lord, help me unburden myself fully and restore me, I pray.

Give thanks for the many ways God is at work, through:

- Aid agencies

- Missionaries

- Healing gifts

- Generosity

- Compassion

- prayer

Remember today, those who carry around in life:

- hurts

- wrongdoing

- confusion

- wrong ideas

- pain

- apathy

and who do not  

 know God’s love.