Topic: He Will Rise Again!
Text: Proverbs 24:16
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Amen
Sometimes the righteous may fall; either due to the ‘intensity’ (or so he thinks) of a trial God has permitted, or the enticing of a temptation that the enemy brings his way. However, if this righteous man has set his eyes and heart on the Lord as his source and salvation, and will sincerely cry to God with a contrite heart, then the Lord will help him; HE WILL ARISE AGAIN!
You see, the Lord does not cause the righteous to fall. He “directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. So that though they stumble, they never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand” (Ps 37: 23, NLT). The righteous falls because he gives up the good fight in a trial, or gives in to sin in the face of temptation.
But if he acknowledges the height from which he’s fallen and cries to his God for mercy, then help comes to him quickly from the throne room of God, to lift him up again. Therefore, “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light” (Micah 7: 8). “The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads” (Ps 145: 14).
Where then are the fallen? Gather them around and let them know there is hope. If they will consider the height from which they have fallen, turn back to God and do the works they did at first (Rev 2: 5). For “shall we continue to sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not, We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Rom 6: 1-2)
Begin to pray the weakness and ‘faithlessness’ away. Ask for forgiveness and for the grace to stand firm on the Word and hold on to the faith. These two will anchor you in the middle of the storm and in the midst of temptation.
Now see the Lord shake off all the mud, filth, dust and guilt that kept you far, dirty and limited. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk in this grace that is sufficient for your every weakness! ARISE TO GODLINESS AND HARD WORK, NEVER TO FALL AGAIN.
