I was young when I watched "Star Wars" for the first time, and my favourite character was the villain Darth Vader. Dressed in black with his distinct helmet, flowing cape, mechanical breathing, and red light saber, he captured my imagination. His powers and persona were far greater than any clean-cut uniformed imperial officer or the expendable Stormtroopers. As the saga of films continued, each installment revealed additional powers and abilities never seen before. Darth Vader's supernatural abilities in "Empire Strikes Back" were tempered by his seemingly incompetent Admirals whom he dispatched with force-chokes. He famously said as Admiral Ozzel breathed his last, "You have failed me for the last time." Definitely not the kind of monster anyone wants as their superior!
What prompted me to consider Vader's warnings of his men "failing" him was a verse I read this morning in the book of Joshua. This verse shows the grace and power of God, and revealed that for all his supernatural powers and knowledge, Darth Vader was a weak leader. When Darth Vader's admirals failed, he also failed. His plans were thwarted by their poor judgments and incompetence. There were no learning moments, and no room for error: in the end all Vader could do was kill those he viewed as failures and install a weaker leader in their place, thus perpetuating the cycle of failure. Their efforts or profession of loyalty meant nothing, for Vader had no loyalty to those he ruled with fear.
When Joshua was called and established by God to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses, God encouraged him with promises. God did not "swear in" Joshua concerning his personal loyalty or make a promise to do his best: God was the One who made promises to Joshua! God said in Joshua 1:5, "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." What a contrast! Darth Vader said menacingly to his underlings "Do not fail me," but God said, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." What confidence Joshua could have in a God who had called him and promised not to fail him! The NKJV rendering of "fail" is "leave," and God's presence would remain with Joshua to guide and help him. How wonderful it is to have a God who will not fail us.
Isn't it amazing God would say to a humble servant, "I will not fail you?" God takes born failures, common sinners who have no ability in our flesh to accomplish His will, and He promises not to fail us. This world, governments, policies, businesses, money, and all that is in this world will eventually fail us. Only in God is there salvation, redemption, and eternal life. God's love never fails, and He has promised to never leave or forsake us. When man promises he will not fail it means nothing, but when God says it we can count on His goodness, grace, and power forever. Like it or not, we fail. But God did not fail Joshua, and He will not fail me, you, or anyone who places their trust in Him.
What prompted me to consider Vader's warnings of his men "failing" him was a verse I read this morning in the book of Joshua. This verse shows the grace and power of God, and revealed that for all his supernatural powers and knowledge, Darth Vader was a weak leader. When Darth Vader's admirals failed, he also failed. His plans were thwarted by their poor judgments and incompetence. There were no learning moments, and no room for error: in the end all Vader could do was kill those he viewed as failures and install a weaker leader in their place, thus perpetuating the cycle of failure. Their efforts or profession of loyalty meant nothing, for Vader had no loyalty to those he ruled with fear.
When Joshua was called and established by God to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses, God encouraged him with promises. God did not "swear in" Joshua concerning his personal loyalty or make a promise to do his best: God was the One who made promises to Joshua! God said in Joshua 1:5, "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." What a contrast! Darth Vader said menacingly to his underlings "Do not fail me," but God said, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." What confidence Joshua could have in a God who had called him and promised not to fail him! The NKJV rendering of "fail" is "leave," and God's presence would remain with Joshua to guide and help him. How wonderful it is to have a God who will not fail us.
Isn't it amazing God would say to a humble servant, "I will not fail you?" God takes born failures, common sinners who have no ability in our flesh to accomplish His will, and He promises not to fail us. This world, governments, policies, businesses, money, and all that is in this world will eventually fail us. Only in God is there salvation, redemption, and eternal life. God's love never fails, and He has promised to never leave or forsake us. When man promises he will not fail it means nothing, but when God says it we can count on His goodness, grace, and power forever. Like it or not, we fail. But God did not fail Joshua, and He will not fail me, you, or anyone who places their trust in Him.
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