2 Samuel 12, John 16, Psalms 119:65-80, Proverbs 16:4-5
What God said to me – Have you ever said, “if I only knew then what I know now”? As they say, “hindsight is twenty-twenty”. However, there are some lessons that can only be learned in hardship and difficulty and trial and error and even failure. In the movie, Top Gun, it was repeated over and over never to leave your wingman, yet Maverick in his cockiness and self-reliance always thought he knew better and would take off on his own at a perceived opportunity. It was only after tragedy and difficulty and failure that he finally learned the lesson and was able to follow through. The disciples told My Son, Jesus, that they finally understood what He was telling them and believed, but He admonished them that a time was coming soon that they would all scatter when facing what He told them was coming. Peter told Him that he would die for Him, but in the midst of it, he denied Him. The good news is that they all came back and were stronger and more faithful than ever because they learned some hard-won truths and those lessons enabled them to stand strong later. So, don’t waste time regretting your past failures on “what ifs” or “I wish”. Learn from those things and walk in steadfastness and faithfulness now. In this world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.