David’s nose, numb after seven days pressed against stone, still smelled grit blown by pleading breath. “My God, my God. Don’t let my guilt fall on this child. Punish me, not the innocent,” he repeated continuously, cracked lips touching the mucus-wet floor. He willed his words through the solid tiles beneath scrapped forehead, bruised knees, and aching toes. All the promise, all the hopes gone, destroyed because he failed … He, defeater of giants, deliverer from Philistines, lay prostrate, felled by his own desire. A woman tricked Samson, but he, God’s anointed king of Israel, chose destruction himself. “Oh God, spare the boy, take me.” Imagined scenes flashed through his mind—running to roof’s edge and, before servants could react, hurling himself off. Or grabbing a guard’s sword, falling on it, and finally receiving what he had inflicted on the Lord’s enemies—as he was now. Even as he pleaded, a plan formed, ready for the right moment …

Complete failure smashes us against the rock of decision. Hide in our defeat, or cling to God’s mercy? Wallow in condemnation, or embrace the Spirit’s conviction? Demand our right to self-destruction, or surrender to His claim on our soul? One path exalts us; the other glorifies Jesus. Bad deeds do not repel goodness. Good deeds do not attract mercy. Rather, the Lord sends them following after us all the days of our lives.

So, what happened the last time crushing defeat forced you to choose between flying into self-pity or leaping off the cliff of His grace?

2 Samuel 17:13-23; Romans 5:15-17; Romans 8:1-17; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Corinthians 7:23