THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 23-24
“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 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!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
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 overcome in the end!