Monday March 14, 2022

Get up !

“For seven times the righteous fall, but he gets up again. When the wicked stumble, on the other hand, they are precipitated into misfortune.” Proverbs 24.16

Failure for the believer is never the end of the story. Think of the men of faith of the Old Testament : their lives are marked by failures, falls and rebellion. Yet they were approved by God” (Hebrews 11.2) and their lives given as an example. The important thing is not that they fell, because we are all human, imperfect and prone to falling often in our lives, but that they got up and continued their course in faith. If the children remained on the ground after their falls, none of them would ever be able to walk ! Falling is as much the prerogative of the righteous as it is of the wicked. But the believer, relying on his faith has learned to get up. Notice :

1- the way of life before the fall will make the difference between the righteous and the wicked. You must decide to have integrity as Daniel did when he arrived in Babylon (Daniel 1:8). Your decision will impact your attitude at the time of the fall.

2- the righteous will fall. Even if he walks in integrity with God, he will still risk falling. It is not, however, that he chose to live in sin and pursue evil ! Do not listen to the criticisms of these Christians who will try to convince you that you remain in sin if you fall. The Bible tells us that “seven times the righteous fall,” yes, not just once or twice, but seven times ! the arms of your heavenly Father. Also be patient with your brothers or sisters who have fallen. Continue to encourage them even if it is the fourth or fifth time that they have fallen. Remember the words of Jesus to Peter (Matthew 18. 21-22) !

3- the righteous will get up after each fall, because God will grant him the grace and the strength to move forward. The fall is only a passing stage, from which he will emerge stronger and more determined. Abraham Lincoln said : "Success is going from failure to failure while maintaining all of your enthusiasm !" If you fall, own up to your fault, accept God's forgiveness, then get up !

Source (His Word for Today)