Dr. David D. Young
July 30, 2006
II Samuel 7: 18-22
Romans 8: 18-28
''Hidden Hope''

Some of you will remember that last week I began the sermon by sharing the story of a couple who committed suicide by starting their car in the garage while they held each other in the back seat – because as they wrote in their suicide note – they had ''no more dreams.'' Here's another equally shocking true story – from about the same time – as it appeared in the New York Post. When I read things like this, I'm forced to take stock of my life and ask, ''What really holds in life?''

New York (UPI) – A husband and wife who jumped 15 floors to their deaths were parapsychologist who wrote a book that advised readers to remain optimistic and that things will always get better a published report said today.

In their book ''Beyond the Visible,'' Paul and Doree Malow told readers to wake up in the morning and say ''It's good to be alive! Today will be better than yesterday!'' the report said.

Police said Marlow, 69, and his wife, 60, jumped together into a courtyard next to a building three blocks from their home. They had also attempted suicide two days before their fatal fall, police said.

The report also quotes friends and business acquaintances as saying the couple was in debt more than $200,000 in back taxes. The couple left a note asking that someone look after their pets, police said.

I lift up this story not to dwell on suicide but to point out that life has its share of failures – even for those who always have a smile on their face and employ the ''power of positive thinking.'' Not knowing anymore about the couple than was told in the article, I would venture to guess that they were so busy looking for the positive things in life that they couldn't accept their own failures when confronted with them.

It's usually true that things will get better – as they seemed to advocate – especially if they've been crummy for a while. But it's also true that no one ever stays on top forever nor that every single day is better than the one before. For to believe that is to deny the up and down nature of life.

I don't know whether many of you followed the renowned Wimbleton Tennis Tournament earlier this summer. It is an exciting time as both men and women compete for the thrill and honor of being considered one of the best tennis players in the world. Of course, only one man and one woman can emerge as Number One, so the thrill of victory is reserved for only two people – whereas all the other players experience disappointment and defeat. There are some words of wisdom though – which are posted on the entrance to the tennis courts. The sign says something to this effect:

''True victory belongs to the one who, whether meeting victory or defeat, will come to recognize both winning and losing for the imposters they are.''

These words serve to remind all who read them that neither is winning the most important thing, nor is victory or defeat something which lasts forever.

It is difficult to be immune to the great pressure to succeed in society today. The bookstores are full of the latest books on how to succeed in everything from raising children to gardening, from money matters to how to dress for success. And I would venture to say that almost everyone of us has felt some type of pressure to succeed and do well at some point along the way.

However, most of us have a fear of failure – which we usually keep well hidden. All of us experience disappointment and failure in our lives, though we often meet them emotionally and spiritually unprepared. For while success may be much more talked about in our society, disappointment is more familiar to most of us.

So this morning, instead of adding more suggestions on ''How to Succeed,'' let me suggest how we as Christians can come to grips with failure. First, therefore, let it be said that it is God who determines what is true success and what is failure. What may at the time cause us great disappointment, may well serve God's plan for our lives in ways we don't yet see. Failure depends a great deal on one's viewpoint. What may appear to one person as failure may be looked upon with gratitude by another person.

There is an old Norwegian tale about a fisherman who with his two sons went out on a daily fishing run. The catch was good; but by mid-afternoon a sudden storm blotted out the shoreline, leaving the men groping for the direction of home. Meanwhile, a fire broke out in the kitchen of their rustic cottage. Before it could be extinguished, the fire had destroyed the family's earthly possessions.

Finally, the father and sons were able to row their boat ashore. The man's wife was waiting to tell him the tragic news of the fire. ''Karl, fire has destroyed everything,'' she said tearfully. ''We have nothing left.'' But Karl was unmoved by the news. ''Didn't you hear me Karl?'' she asked. ''The house is gone!'' ''Yes, I hear you,'' replied Karl. ''But a few hours ago we were lost at sea. For hours I thought we would perish. Then something happened: I saw a dim yellow glow in the distance. It grew larger and larger. We turned our boat toward the light. The same blaze which destroyed our home was the light which saved our lives.''

In 1872 a severe hot spell in California shriveled a farmer's entire grape crop. He sent his ''dried-up'' grapes to a grocer who advertised them as ''Peruvian delicacies.'' They sold at a good price and we've been eating raisins since. (from ''How To Be A Failure'')

Whether we count something as a success or a failure depends a lot on what we do with what happens to us. Do we look upon a harvest of shriveled-up grapes as misfortune or as a great opportunity? When things in our life turn sour, do we go bad too – or do we patiently trust in God?

Success and failure depend more on our perspective and values – than on the actual experience itself. A failure, within God's purpose, is no longer really a failure.

On Good Friday, by all human standards, Jesus appeared to have failed miserably upon the cross. Think how disappointed the disciples must have been that day. But to the Christian who has come to know the Risen Lord, the cross is seen as a great triumph – a triumph by God over the worst of human failures. And so, it is God who determines what is success and what is failure in life.

Secondly, God is not a means to success, but failure can be a means to God. It is not uncommon to hear people speak of the time when they felt God's presence most strongly as being a time following great personal defeat or difficulty.

It is fairly easy to stand alone in the midst of success, but people desperately long for God's comfort and guidance when they experience failure. And it is during such times that we are most often open to God.

Let us keep in mind – that to try and to fail at something is not the end of the world, rather it is to be human. Song-writer and singer, Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel once wrote;

''You got to learn how to fall before you learn how to fly.''

To know the weakness within ourselves makes God's strength and power possible. The more we recognize our human limitations, the more open we are to God's making us complete in Christ.

Paul states the paradox succinctly when he says in II Corinthians 12:9,

''In weakness is God's strength made whole.''

Rabindranath Tagore, a poet of great faith speaks this too in a beautiful prayer. He prays with first hand knowledge of pain and defeat when he says,

''Let me pray not to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain but for the heart to conquer it. Let me not look for allies in life's battlefield but to my own strength. Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved but hope for the patience to win my freedom. Grant me that I may not be a coward, feeling your mercy in my success alone; but let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.''

In this life, the Christian suffers defeat and knows disappointment as much as anyone – sometimes more. In the life of Paul, and most especially in the life of Jesus, we know that what may look like a failure to some people, may be viewed by God quite differently.

Theologian, Paul Tillich, in Perspective on the 19th and 20th Century Protestant Theology, states:

''There is only one alternative to life with failure, that is lifelessness without failure.''

Or as comedian, Woody Allen puts it:

''If you're not failing now and again, it's a sign you're playing it safe.''

Well, I know from personal experience that I've learned a lot more from my failures than I have from my successes. And that when I've fallen flat on my face – I've seen most clearly my great need of God. So let it be said again, that God is not an easy avenue to success – as some preachers suggest – but through disappointments of unfulfilled dreams, we can find an avenue to God.

Thirdly, we are given God's promise in Romans 8: 28,

''That in everything God works for good with those who love him.''

Even the worst of our failures and setbacks won't keep God from working for good in our lives. In fact, sometimes a painful disappointment opens the door making it possible for God to give us new direction, and to pour out his blessings in our lives.

It is important never to view an experience of failure or a setback as a final defeat. It is also important that we not let failures of the past keep us from trying again – and again and again. One can be a realist and still attempt to do extraordinary things.

There is someone we all know of who was that kind of person. This man failed in business in 1831. He was defeated for the state legislature in 1832. He failed again in business in 1834. He had a nervous breakdown in 1841. He hoped to receive his party's nomination for Congress but didn't in 1843. He ran for the Senate and lost in 1855. He was defeated again for the Senate in 1858. A hopeless loser, some people said. But Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. He knew how to accept failure – temporarily.

The fear of failure can be more crippling than failure itself.

John Wooden, one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, who took UCLA to ten National Championships, once said:

''The team that makes the most mistakes will probably win.'' Translation: The team that makes the most mistakes will probably win because it is the team that has the courage to keep surging ahead and not try to rest securely on a lead.

And those are words of wisdom for us as a church and as individuals. For it is far better to have tried and failed, than to have held back from trying at all and then wondering what might have been.

God determines what is success and what is failure. God is not a means to success, but failure can be a means to God. And in everything God works for good with those who love him.

Paul reminds us, in verses' 24 and 25, our real hope lies far beyond whatever personal successes we enjoy.

''…Hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see we wait for it with patience.''

Our real hope lies not in personal successes which fade, but in God's making and remaking us into people completely filled with his love and peace.

Like King David, as we read in our Old Testament reading, we may marvel aloud to God, ''who am I, O Lord God…that thou hast brought me thus far?'' (II Samuel 7:18) For we are people who know our own shortcomings and failings all to well.

We may feel undeserving of God's grace and leading in our lives. God bids us – though – to leave our past failures behind. God challenges us to live with trust and confidence, for our failures in life are as nothing compared to the love and mercy of our God.

Therein lies our hidden hope – that in all things even our failures, God works for good. And so we remember that our help does come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Hidden Hope! We can trust in the God who says,

''Behold, I make all things new.'' – even you! Amen!