Epic failure ∙

Epic failure ∙

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. – 1 Corinthians 10:12

Luke 22:32

 31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.

 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:60-62

 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”

 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

For over 30 years, Intel Corp. has been the undisputed leader in computer microprocessors and chip sets design and fabrication. Based in Santa Clara, California (a.k.a. Silicon Valley), it was the epitome of “made in the USA.” It marked America’s dominance of the semiconductor industry

It maintained a competitive advantage by marrying top-notch design and US-based state-of-the-art factories. As other chipmakers moved their plants overseas, Intel stood firm, planted on US soil.

Intel Corp. faced severe delays for years, but now it has experienced an epic failure. Its very strengths and strategies have now proven to be its undoing.

In July 2020, it announced that its next generation of technology, 7-nanometer CPUs, would be delayed by over a year. Its ability to design and fabricate had been challenged and overtaken by domestic rivals and other countries.

Can Intel overcome its epic failure?

Any child of the King can and does fail. Failure in this life, at one point or another, is regrettably the norm. We all trip and fall down. The question is, “What do we do when we experience epic failure?”

Peter was the undisputed leader of the twelve apostles. Yet he failed dreadfully when he denied the Lord Jesus Christ. But the Scriptures reveal an open secret. His failure was inevitable and predicted, but so was his recovery. Peter had somebody very important and powerful praying for him. The Lord Jesus Christ had his back.

Luke 22:32 I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

The same is true for each child of the King.

Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

REFLECT & PRAY

Psalms 37:8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper– it only leads to harm.

Father how often I have failed and been so terribly discouraged. But each time, You were there for me. You pulled me out of the miry pit and caused me to stand again on firm ground, more confident than ever that You would fulfill the plan and dream You have for my life. Thank You!

INSIGHT

The focus of this brief account is not epic failure but rather epic recovery. “Peter will falter for a short period, after which he will turn back and strengthen the disciples. By telling this story, Luke prepares the reader for the leadership of Peter in the early chapters of Acts” (Black). The path to leadership for Peter is laid out for all of us to see. Epic leadership grows out of epic recovery from epic failure.

Peter was born with natural leadership qualities. Such strength can be a significant disadvantage for those that the Father wants to use. When the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Peter about failure, Peter did not believe it. It was not that Peter was proud. Instead, he was naïve and could not imagine himself disappointing the Lord Jesus Christ in any way. Take a moment and visualize Peter. Can you imagine him saying to himself, “Wait and see, I will prove myself faithful, I will not fail my Lord! You can count on me no matter what!”

Luke 22:33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”

Peter knew beyond any doubt that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God. He could not conceive of a world where he would betray his Lord.

Matthew 16:15-16

 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

As things turned out, Peter was ready to take on the world. When the armed detachment came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword. He was ready and prepared to fight to the death. He was impulsive and angry. He was brave. But he did not understand that he was not doing the Father’s will. Instead, he was trying to stop it from playing out. The Lord Jesus Christ had come into the world to be arrested, tried, condemned, and crucified (Matthew 26:51-56).

But Peter rose to the occasion in his brash, bold, brave way, and blood was spilled. He cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Rather than receiving praise, he received correction from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 22:51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

The Lord Jesus Christ was arrested and led away. How do you suppose Peter felt at that very moment? He was undoubtedly conflicted, embarrassed, disillusioned, and full of despair. Peter was now on the downward road to epic failure.

By the way, why do you think Peter failed so miserably? Was he frightened? Doubtful, he was ready to die for Christ in the garden; instead, he was confused and downcast. His emotions were running wild, and his brain shut down. He had just witnessed what he thought was impossible; the King of Kings and the Lord of lords had been taken away to judgment and certain death.

This confident, natural leader went through epic failure as preparation for epic recovery and leadership. So it is with each child of the King.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 8-22-2

© Dr. H 2022