Stumbling Into Greatness

by John Tilton on September 23, 2024

SCRIPTURE:

“Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.”
Daniel 11:35

OBSERVATION:

This gem within the account of the battle between the kings of the North and South reminds us that man is carnal, prone to sin and will make mistakes. However, with the right heart, our stumbling and mistakes can be a process to refine, purify and grow us into the people God has called us to be. Our nature is often to feel that our sins and mistakes discount and disqualify from our relationship with Christ. The enemy will often bore this lie into us to discourage us and cause us to run from the grace and hope we can find in Jesus Christ. Yet, the Word of the Lord is true that only God can use our foibles to draw us closer to Him, so that we can learn and grow from our sins, and realize all the treasures and blessings that He has in store for us. The key is our heart of repentance and relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s like the athlete that fumbles and bumbles a play, who then is inspired by the coach to pick up the ball and run it, or play it again.

APPLICATION:

I’ve made my share of mistakes in my life and it is such a rewarding and reaffirming peace and joy to know that God loved me so much that He gave his son Jesus Christ on the cross so that I might have hope, a second chance, and a new lease on life in spite of my carnal ways and mistakes. I am blessed to know that even when I’ve made the same mistake again and again, a repentant heart and God’s grace and love restores my soul and moves me toward growing into a better person. I believe that in my relationship with Christ, I am a work in progress, still stumbling at times. However, Jesus Christ grabs hold of me like a father grabbing hold of a child to pick me up, put me back on the right path, and encourage me to go forth and stay the course.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your grace, hope and love. Please continue to guide me in drawing closer to you in spite of my carnality and mistakes. Thank you for the person you are molding me to be and the work in progress; that you are investing time, love and the life of your son Jesus Christ, so that I may spend eternity with you.

About the Author

John Tilton

Senior Pastor John Tilton has served at New Hope Oahu since it’s launch in 1995, and has been on staff in administration and as executive pastor for the past 14 years. The values and heart behind New Hope run deeply through Pastor John’s veins as he has trained, learned, and was mentored closely by Pastor Wayne.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Pastor John holds his Masters in Formational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College & Capital Seminary. He has served in various leadership, mentorship, and advisory roles in ministry and in the marketplace. He currently serves as Vice President of New Hope International and is on the Board of Directors of both Pacific Rim Christian University and New Hope Christian College.

Pastor John is married to his amazing wife Lanu, is father to his son Ikaika, daughter Malie, son-in-law Noni, is Papa to his grandchildren Justice, Johanna, and Jordynn, all of whom serve in ministry as a family together at New Hope Oahu.

Pastor John’s heart is to love and shepherd the people of New Hope Oahu––both here on Oahu and globally across the world. He will seek to continue to develop leaders, enable people here to dream with vision and purpose for God’s unique call on their lives, and, most importantly, to seek God as He faithfully guides our church so that we can fully become the church, and the people, He has created and called us to be.