A Failure?

He seemed like a complete failure. After he dropped out of school, his parents worried that he had no employable skills. He had a speech impediment and limited social skills. He failed much of his college entrance exam. One of his professors recommended that he be “turned down for every academic position that he applied to after graduation.” Unemployed, he became so desperate that he tutored children, but even then he couldn’t hold down the jobs.

Who would hold out any hope for this man? But he was Albert Einstein, who became perhaps the most famous scientist of all time. The same man who was named the “man of the century” by Time magazine.

It often seemed that nothing ever would change in his life. Yet through persistence, hard work, and diligence, his unique gifts became apparent, and he was recognized and rewarded.

Many people know what it means to experience failure…to feel as though nothing ever will change. David had many such moments. He felt that God had been hiding His face from him. It seemed that his enemies were taunting him. Filled with sorrow, he asked, “How long?”

But David went on to declare that eventually everything changed. He had trusted in God’s mercy and rejoiced in His salvation. In the end, he could declare, “I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me” (vs. 5-6).

Remember these principles if you face situations that seem hopeless…if you feel discouraged…if every door seems to be closed…if you feel like a failure.

Don’t give up. Stay faithful and diligent. Develop the gifts that God has given you. And trust in Him to use you in powerful ways.