Learning From Your Mistakes

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 16 – 18 (Yesterday 1 Chronicles 14 & 15)

In chapter 15 and 16 of today’s passage, we see the transport of the ark of the covenant back to where it belonged in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. You may remember we read earlier in Chronicles and also in 2 Samuel 6 that this was the second attempt to bring the ark back. The first time they attempted to carry the ark back on a cart instead of the way that was clearly prescribed by God in the Law. This mistake resulted in the death of Uzza because he put his hand on the ark to steady it. He wasn’t supposed to touch it!

Why did Uzza die? because he touched something he wasn’t supposed to touch. But was it really his fault? I guess partially it was; but I believe most of the blame fell on David for not doing things the right way the first time. David was trying to do a great thing, but ended up causing the death of a good man. David, however, did not let this error in judgment keep him from moving on in the will of God. He learned from his mistakes.

As I reflect on my years of ministry for the Lord, I am reminded of the many times that I have done things (or not done things) that have resulted in people being hurt. I have clearly blown it in many situations. Other times, in trying to correct a problem, I have made matters worse. I have even neglected to act on occassion hoping perhaps that the problem might go away on its own (which never happens). It’s rather depressing to meditate upon my failures. But I have learned this through the years: people who make many attempts to help other people; and people who make many decisions in life, are bound to make a bad call now and then.

So what should we do. Keep moving forward! Apologize for your failures, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving on. Don’t let the Devil convince you that your service for God and for people is over. David made a terrible mistake; but he also made it right. He didn’t quit, and he went on to greater works than these.

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Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.