Interesting juxtaposition

Here are a couple of passages from Luke 9.

Luke 9:40-42(NKJV)

So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 

And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

Luke 9:51-54(NKJV)

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 

and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 

But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

How quickly they went from not being able to cast out a demon to thinking that they could call down fire and brimstone just like Elijah.  What should we think of that?

I would say the life lesson here is that even though they had just failed at one thing, they still had full faith that through Jesus nothing is impossible so they should think big and try. 

Scripture tells us that "through Christ all things are possible."  That doesn't however mean that all things will be successful, even things that you believe Jesus called you to do.  Sometimes the things we are called to do have a different purpose such as teaching us things that we need to learn for future success. 

But here is the thing.  No matter whether that previous thing God called us to was a success or failure, ALWAYS approach the next calling with total enthusiasm and faith.  Always! 

Why?  Because God made us a promise. 

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Hope does not disappoint!!!  If you truly believe that then take joy in each new calling that God gives you secure in the knowledge that God is in control and the ultimate outcome is that our hope will not be disappointed!