PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Proverbs 23-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” (Proverbs 24:16)
I believe in the resurrection, the hope of rising again.
This hope is not meant to encourage selfish sinners to keep sinning.
It is a hope for those who KNOW their weakness, and need for mercy.
It is a hope for those who long to do what is right, and struggle to do it.
They may try and fail, they may struggle and do it imperfectly.
They may be criticized and abused for it, and be knocked to the ground.
But though they fail or fall seven times, they will rise again.
The number ‘seven’ is a number of fullness, a way of saying ‘many times’.
Jesus promises that we will be forgiven ‘seventy times seven’ times (Matthew 18:22).
I am the first to admit that I do not always live a righteous life.
I know my falls and failures, I feel my inconsistencies and weaknesses.
But Jesus assures me that if I hunger for doing what is right, I will be satisfied.
As a Jesus follower, I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me.
I’m not there yet, and I will continue to stumble, but I will rise again!
PRAYER
Lord, I am not yet what I’m supposed to be. But neither am I what I used to be. Thank you for assuring me that despite my falls, flaws and failures, I will rise up in the end!
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” Where is my source of strength? So many proverbs warn about being caught up with greed, wicked schemes to get ahead, to avoid too much alcohol, to watch the company I keep – and to instead learn but most of all seek the Lord. Being zealous for God is my strength – then in times of trouble but also in times of prosperity – I will be strong. Not putting my hope and security in the things and people of this world – but rather in God – in Jesus my Saviour! He is my strength – and his strength is not small! Lord, help me to stay focused on you – forgive me when I stray O Lord!
Listen.
Listen to your Father. Be a person of integrity.
Seek wisdom. Get understanding. Listen for instructions.
Do this and live.
Live and do this – speak what is right. Do what is right.
Live for Jesus and walk in His ‘SonShine’ every day.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil he doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.