Jentezen Franklin (October-14-2023) Daily Devotional: Don’t be afraid of failing.
“I will be with you.” Jos 1:5 NKJV
Because we are keenly aware of our limitations, we tend to limit our pursuits to our comfort zone. And that can lead to a life of mediocrity and unfulfilled dreams. Your efforts don’t rest solely on your shoulders, but on God’s. Yes, you have a part to play. But when you have done your best, you must trust God to do the rest. On the threshold of the promised land, God said to Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you, nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage” (vv. 5-6). Your ability is limited, but God’s ability is unlimited. You may experience failure on your way to success, but God’s guarantee is, “I will not fail thee.” The fear of failure is often based on the erroneous belief that success rests solely on our abilities. And because we’re aware of our inadequacies, we stay in our comfort zone instead of tackling the giants in the promised land. This can lead to a life of frustration over “what could have been.” When you know that what you want lines up with God’s will, be bold and know that you will eventually succeed. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1Jn 5:14-15 NKJV). When your confidence is “in Him,” your success is assured. When you know that what you want is what God wants, you can move forward in strength.
