Proverbs 24:16- for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
One of the first applications of this Proverb that comes to mind is in the area of diligence – the constant or persistent effort to accomplish a goal or task. But as I thought about the verse, the words “righteous” and “wicked” seemed to stick out.
“Righteous” and “wicked” can speak to our relationship with God in terms of believers verses non-believers. But even in our Christian walk, there is an application that speaks to our fellowship with Him, i.e., our closeness, our striving towards obedience, and our daily experience with Him.
One of the definitions of “wicked” is “morally wrong, ungodly”. There are times in our Christian walk where we behave in ungodly ways. In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul was compelled to instruct Christians to speak truthfully, and get rid of anger, rage, brawling, and every form of malice. And not to “grieve” the Holy Spirit. The word “grieve” means: to distress, to cause deep emotional pain or sadness, to experience severe sorrow. If we are out of fellowship with Him, and begin to act in “wicked” ways, its like we walk away from the power that’s needed to get up and overcome the obstacles of life. We will have a tendency to “stumble in times of calamity”.
Read the passage in Ephesians 4 above; examine yourself honestly. If you find that you have fallen in your fellowship, perhaps it is causing you to “stumble” in life. Make a decision to get back in fellowship with Him. Then the wisdom, power, courage and peace needed to overcome the obstacles in life will be more readily available – through Him. Remember without Christ, you can do nothing (John 15:4-6). It is in Him that we live and move had have our being (Acts 17:2).
Even though life’s obstacles may cause you to fall seven times, being in right standing with Christ will enable you to rise again.
Comments