(Inspired by a sermon by Mark Morrison, Pastor of Westside Baptist, Sunday, 24 August 2025)
“And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Deuteronomy 8:2
Failure. It is one of the most painful words in our vocabulary. No one plans for it, and no one desires it, yet every believer encounters it. And yet, God’s Word shows us that failure can be one of the most powerful tools God uses to refine us and prepare us for God’s promises.
In Deuteronomy 8, Moses reminds Israel that their failures in the wilderness were not wasted—they were divinely orchestrated opportunities to grow, to humble themselves, and to trust the Lord. This passage offers us both the benefits and the stages of failure, reminding us that our failures are not the end of the story—they are the chisels God uses to make us more like Christ.
The book of Deuteronomy demonstrates four stages of our spiritual journey and helps us understand the tool of failure.
Egypt—Bondage in Sin
Every person begins in Egypt. This isn’t just a geographical place: it represents the spiritual slavery of sin. Before we are born again through Christ, we are held captive, powerless to escape. Like Israel under Pharaoh, we can’t break free by our own strength. Only God can redeem us.
The Red Sea—Salvation by God’s Power
Israel’s deliverance came when God split the Red Sea. Salvation for us is the same: an act of God’s power and grace. It is not earned, nor is it deserved, but is given freely. The ultimate failure in life is to never place our faith in Christ for salvation—in other words, never cross the Red Sea. When we cross the Red Sea, it doesn’t matter how many years we wander in the wilderness or struggle; our eternity is secure. But for those still in Egypt, any victory is meaningless because they are still enslaved by sin and separated from God.
The Wilderness — Our Present Struggle
This is where the born-again believer now lives—between salvation and eternity. The wilderness is filled with trials, testing, work, and, yes, failure. God uses this season to humble us, discipline us, and lead us. As Moses reminded Israel in Deuteronomy 6:12, “then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” In other words, while you struggle, don’t lose sight of the One who saved you. The wilderness presses us to remember that the God who redeemed us is the same God who sustains us. That’s why later, in Deuteronomy 8:3, we’re told that we cannot survive on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Both reminders call us to trust Him fully, even in the failures and frustrations of life between salvation and eternity.
Crossing the Jordan — After Death
The Jordan River symbolizes the moment after physical death, when the soul and spirit of a believer finally enter the Promised Land.
So…why does God allow failure?
1. To remove pride and self-sufficiency.
We don’t trust God until we have to. As long as things are going well, we lean on ourselves. Failure strips away the illusion of control and reminds us that, apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5) Our fleshly pride must die so supernatural faith can grow.
2. To expose our heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Failure brings our hidden motives, weaknesses, and sins to the surface. But God doesn’t expose us to shame us—He exposes us to heal us. That’s why David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart…see if there is any wicked way in me.” (Psalm 139:23–24)
3. To reveal our true Source of life.
Deuteronomy 8:3 declares, “Man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” Failure teaches us dependence. When life strips us bare, we discover that God’s Word is our sustenance, His Spirit our strength, and His presence our light.
My friend, our failure can be God’s sculpting tool!
Imagine a massive chunk of marble in the hands of a sculptor. Michelangelo famously said that when he carved David, he simply removed everything that wasn’t David. In the same way, God uses failure as His chisel to remove everything in us that doesn’t look like Jesus.
Each mistake, each weakness, and each humbling moment is another strike of His chisel. Painful? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely. Because the goal isn’t our comfort—it’s Christlikeness. We were created for His glory!
Romans 8:29 reminds us, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Failure isn’t wasted; it’s part of the refining process that makes us a masterpiece fit for eternity.
Remember—there is a very scary ultimate failure!
The ultimate failure is not wandering in the wilderness, stumbling, or falling short; rather, it’s never crossing the Red Sea. If we never accept Christ’s salvation, no amount of earthly success or moral effort matters. Missing Heaven is the greatest tragedy. If you are not 100% sure where you would go if you died today, please go to our website section on salvation.
But for those who belong to Christ, even our failures are redeemed. God promises, “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” (Psalm 37:24) So, today, if you feel conquered by failure, remember: In Christ, you CAN be victorious. The wilderness isn’t your final home. Our finish line is when we cross over Jordan.
Reflection Thought
Are you letting failure drive you deeper into dependence on God—or into despair? This present wilderness is not a wasteland; rather, when God is glorified in our journey, it is an oasis.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank You that even my failures are not wasted in Your hands. Teach me to trust You when I fall, to let go of my pride, and to rest in Your Word as my true source of life. Keep chiseling away everything in me that does not reflect Jesus. And when I am tempted to despair, remind me that my journey does not end in the wilderness—it ends in Your Promised Land. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
