Restored Failures

A guest band was leading praise and worship at our church, and their passion for the Lord was moving. We could see-and feel-their enthusiasm.
     Then the musicians revealed that they were all exprisoners. Suddenly their songs took on special meaning, and I saw why their words of praise meant so much to them. Their worship was a testimony of lives broken and restored.
        The world may embrace success. But stories of past failure offer people hope too. They assured us that God loves us no matter how many times we have failed. Pastor Gary Inrig says that what we call the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 could well be entitled God's Hall of Reclaimed Failures. " There is scarcely an individual in that chapter without a serious blemish in his or her life," he observes. " But God is in the business of restoring failures....That is great principle of God's grace."
      I love the comfort of Psalm 145, which speaks of God's " wonderful works" and glorious kingdom. It describes His compassion and faithfulness-then immediately tells us that He lifts up those who have fallen. All His attributes are expressed when He picks us up. He is indeed in the business of restoration.
      Have you failed before? We all have. Have you been restored? All who have been redeemed are stories of God's grace.
     Our stories of failure can be God's stories of success.