“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” — Luke 22:31-32 (KJV)

What lies beyond the veil of failure? What awaits us in our moments of weakness and misjudgment? The answer lies in our perspective and understanding of life’s journey. Throughout the Bible, we witness the failures of even the strongest among us. One undeniable truth emerges: God has never relied on a perfect man to fulfill His will—except for Jesus Christ Himself!

In the Scriptures, I find solace in knowing that beyond every failure, there exists a glimmer of hope. Yet, the tragic reality is that many people succumb to despair instead of discovering the hope that awaits them. Though grace is abundant in every circumstance, our limited perspective can blind us to the grace and hope that God offers.

Returning to our opening passage, notice that the Lord did not pray for Peter to be spared from sin, but rather that his faith would “fail not” in the face of impending colossal failure. Jesus recognized that Peter was a target for the devil, not only because he was destined to be a kingdom shaker but also due to his overconfidence. On the very night Jesus warned him, Peter boldly declared, “All may forsake you, Lord, but not I.” This was the same man who resisted Jesus washing his feet. Clearly, Simon had much to learn.

God does not desire our failure, but He will use it to impart invaluable lessons about living for Him. Our life’s missteps often serve as the greatest teachers, reminding us not to rely solely on our own strength. I believe the protective hedge around Peter was removed to sift out the “Simon Barjona” within him.

What Satan intended as an assault to destroy Peter’s faith ultimately reinforced it. What the enemy means to shatter us, God can repurpose to strengthen us—IF we reach for the hope that lies beyond failure.

It is through our failures and setbacks that we should be drawn to the grace of God. When Peter fell, he looked up to see the Lord standing there, ready to restore him, for God had plans to use him powerfully on the Day of Pentecost! Alongside the other disciples, he would soon turn the world upside down with the Gospel.

This is the unwavering grace and mercy of God. Acknowledging our weaknesses is part of His grand design, allowing Him to manifest His glory and grace in our lives. As Paul proclaimed, “His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses!”

The psalmist assures us, “The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand. I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” — Psalm 37:23-26

Often, it is through our most significant failures that our faith falters, and we feel as if the Lord has abandoned us. After denying Jesus, Peter was undoubtedly haunted by his Master’s words, the crowing rooster echoing in his ears as he wept bitterly. As the story unfolds, while Jesus faced Calvary, the disciples were left lost and confused. In their despair, Peter and some others decided to return to fishing, perhaps believing their purpose had ended.

John chapter twenty-one captures one of the most beautiful and powerful scenes in the entire Bible. The disciples toiled through the night, their minds clouded by recent events. Suddenly, they saw a figure in the distance. “Children, have you any meat?” came the call. When they answered, “No,” he instructed them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. John recognized the Lord and shouted to Peter, who, in a frenzy, jumped overboard to reach the shore, finding his Savior preparing a meal for them. 

“Come and dine,” the Master invited! There was no rebuke, no condemnation, just the Lord preparing a meal for His disciples and gazing into Peter’s eyes, asking, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”

Three times, Peter was asked this question. I believe the Lord wanted Peter to understand that he had a purpose, but first, he needed to confess his love wholeheartedly because God loved him unconditionally. What a beautiful depiction of our Lord!

When Satan targeted Peter, the Lord interceded for him! When the enemy of our souls tries to ensnare us after we stumble, the Lord stands as our defense attorney, and He has never lost a case!

What Peter learned that day was the profound truth that the Lord is on our side. “If God be for me, who can be against me?” Even in our setbacks, as long as we turn to Him in all things and surrender ourselves to God, grace and mercy will always support us, providing true strength.

True grace offers us what we do not deserve, but it also teaches us and imparts the divine strength necessary to fulfill His work on earth! “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” — Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)

Where do you find yourself today? Are you in the midst of failure, or are you “fishing” for worldly things? It’s time to rise and hear your Savior calling—cast your net to the right side! The Lord is not finished with you!

This journey is not about us, but about His unending love for you and me. “But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” — Hebrews 7:24-25 (KJV)

Indeed, the Lord stands in Heaven today, interceding for us—not that we will never fail, but that our faith will never waver! He understands our fragility, and desires to be the wind beneath our sails. Will you allow Him to be your support? It begins with humbling yourself before Him and looking up!

Look up today; you will find hope through failure! There is a giant waiting to be slain and mountains that need moving. The world is in need of you! 

“Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” — Romans 8:34-39 (KJV)