Here are some ways we often justify ourselves when we fail: “I really was not wrong.” “It wasn’t that big of a deal.” “I can’t help it, this is just who I am.” “She made me do it.” Excuses like these keep us from admitting failure. It’s because deep down inside of us, we want to be right. Always. We don’t want to pay the penalty for being wrong. Yet admitting our failures can help us grow. That’s especially true in our relationship with God. When we confess our shortcomings to the Lord and ask Him for strength, He helps us overcome and grow. That’s what Daniel did. We read this in Daniel chapter 9: “We have not obeyed the Lord our God for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets… We have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.” God had promised to end the exile, yet He waited for Daniel to confess the sins of his people before He acted. May we, like Daniel, learn the secret of admitting our failure to God so He can bless us as He desires.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
