“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to me strengthen your brethren.” Luke22:31-32 (NKJV)

We have all heard it said at one time or another that failure is not an option. For certain vocations and occupations, this statement serves as a rallying cry to promote unity, teamwork, and a since of accomplishment. For those of us who live outside of this particular context failure is a stark reality of life. Sports teams fail when they don’t execute the game plan. Politician’s fail when they forgo the promises made during their campaign and resort to something less than what their constituents desire. Believer’s fail when we fall short of the glory of God with regard to the plan and purpose that He has ordained for our lives. While failure is not an option, it is clearly a reality that impacts the lives of all of us who believe. While it may be a reality, it is by no means the end of our story.

During the time of the Passover supper, Jesus prophetically declares Peter’s denial of Him. Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:34 (NKJV) It would be a failure on the part of Peter that would yield tragic consequences. Peter had walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, and had been taught by Jesus yet he would fall into gross failure and deny that he ever knew him. Did he plan on this breach of his allegiance to Jesus? No. Was failure an option? Yes. Not only an option but Peter followed through on Jesus’ prophecy and it instantly became a reality. However, when we are in relationship with our Lord, while we may fail, it may be an option, a reality, but it will never be the end. Jesus is praying for us. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)

The acknowledgement in our devotional passage is that Satan desired to undermine and destroy Peter. He desires the same of every believer. Jesus uses the word to describe this attack of the enemy as “sift.” Here the idea is that the attack is designed to “agitate and prove by trials and afflictions.” Satan may attempt to sift us but God is standing ready and able to save us. What happens next in our passage is central to Peter’s ultimate deliverance. Our devotional passage renders the word “returned”, but the King James Version of the same text uses the word “converted.” The word “converted” means to “come again”, or to “revert back to the original state.” In this case it would be Peter’s former dedication and commitment to follow Jesus. The suggestion is that failure is never permanent or perpetual. God is always ready to reaffirm and restore our relationship with Him.

Failure is never an “if” condition, but it is a matter of when. Time will not allow us to count the times that we have found ourselves in the throes of failure. Peter failed but it was not a permanent fall. God used that circumstance to allow him to “strengthen” his brothers and sisters in the faith. He would later preach the opening message shortly after the day of Pentecost during which 3,000 souls would be saved. He would then go on to write two very powerful epistles to exhort and encourage all believers. When we fall and when we fail, it is never the end. God is there to hold us, help us, and heal us. When we fail we can get back up again, bruised but better for it.