LEARNING FROM OUR SHORTCOMINGS 

Dylan Blanton 

Today’s Scripture: “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’” Matthew 17:19, ESV 

Theme: Seeking Jesus for wisdom and addressing our own shortcomings allows us to correct and improve rather than lose heart. 

SOMETIMES WE FAIL 

Have you ever found yourself frustrated because you failed at something you thought you should have been able to accomplish? Failure can be discouraging, especially when we believe we should know better. But sometimes our greatest opportunities for spiritual growth come when we recognize the limitations of our own strength. 

In Matthew 17, we find the disciples in this exact situation. A desperate father brought his suffering son to Jesus' disciples, hoping they could heal him. These were men that had walked with Jesus, watched Him perform miracles, and had even been given authority to cast out demons earlier in their ministry (Matthew 10:1). Yet this time, something was different. In Matthew 17:16, the father tells Jesus: “And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” (ESV) 

HEARING CORRECTION 

Imagine how humbling that must have been. The disciples had been entrusted with authority by Jesus, but when confronted with this challenge, they were unable to accomplish it. Then, in verse 17, Jesus responds with a startling rebuke. 

“O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” (Matthew 17:17, ESV) 

These are strong words from Jesus. He doesn't dismiss their failure as insignificant. He confronts the deeper spiritual issue behind it. Later, in verse 20, Jesus explains to the disciples that their inability was connected to their insufficient faith. The disciples had previously experienced success in ministry, but past success was no substitute for present dependence on God. 

OUR RESPONSE 

What I find particularly encouraging about this passage, however, is what happens next. After witnessing Jesus heal the boy, the disciples approach Him privately and ask:  

“Why could we not cast it out?” (Matthew 17:19, ESV) 

Think about the humility required to ask that question. They could have made excuses. They could have blamed the father or the circumstances surrounding the situation. They could have allowed embarrassment to keep them from addressing what happened. 

Instead, they went to Jesus. They acknowledged that something was lacking and sought understanding from the only One who could truly help them and Jesus answered them. He didn't tell them they were hopeless or that their failure meant they could never be useful again. He identified the problem and taught them about faith. That is an important distinction for us to understand. God's correction is not intended to leave us defeated. He corrects us to lead us toward greater faith and a deeper dependence on Him. Humility allows us to recognize that we don't have everything figured out. It gives us the freedom to acknowledge our weaknesses without being defined by them. When we bring those weaknesses before Jesus, He can use them to teach us something that success alone might never have revealed. 

We need that same perspective. When we realize we've been depending too heavily on ourselves, we can humbly return to the One who has been our source of strength all along. Spiritual maturity isn't demonstrated by never falling short, but instead, how we respond when we do. The disciples' failure wasn't the end of their ministry. Jesus continued teaching them and using them to accomplish extraordinary things. Their shortcomings became opportunities for instruction because they were willing to bring them before Jesus. The same can be true for us.  

Make It Personal: Go to Jesus and ask the difficult questions. Listen for His correction through Scripture and prayer. And trust that the same Lord who reveals where you need to grow will also provide grace and strength to help you do it. Our failures can either drive us toward discouragement or draw us into deeper dependence on Christ. The difference often begins with the humility to ask, "Lord, what do I need to learn?" 

Pray: Lord, give me a humble and teachable heart. When I fall short, help me resist the temptation to make excuses, or give in to discouragement. Instead, teach me to come before You honestly, just as the disciples did, seeking wisdom and understanding. Reveal the areas of my life where I need to grow. Strengthen my faith, correct my thinking, and help me recognize that Your grace is sufficient even in my weakness. May my shortcomings never become excuses to give up, but opportunities to draw closer to You and become more like Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Read: Matthew 17:14-20; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Proverbs 3:5-7 

Weekly Memory Verse: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8, ESV