start again
“But even if the righteous man falls seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked falls in trouble.” -Proverbs 24:16
Have people ever let you down? If you’re dealing with humans, in ministry or business, or anywhere for that matter, chances are they will!
But what do we do when people mess up? Do we tell them there is no hope, that God is angry with them, or do we tell them that God is a God of second chances, who is waiting with open arms for us to run back to Him when we repent? The second picture is more accurate.
Peter was in the garden with Jesus. Jesus told him that before the cock crows he will deny Him three times. Peter didn’t believe he would do it. He said, ‘I will never refuse you.’ And yet, when Roman soldiers asked him if he knew Jesus, he denied it three times. (John 18:27) But despite all this, Jesus said to him, ‘You are Simon Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.’ (Matthew 16:18)
As Christians, we need to feel that God is encouraging us. He likes it when we live a life that pleases Him. And he knows it can be hard sometimes. We need to believe in others the same way he believes in us. People will disappoint us, there is no doubt about that. But there is always hope in God, He is the hope of the world! We need to place our faith and trust in His hands for the outcome of their lives, and learn to see them as He sees them.
If you’re like many people, you’ve let yourself down. But we have to learn to dust ourselves off and get back up and try again. The Bible says that the righteous fall 7 times, but get up again. Are you rising from whatever you’re facing, or are you staying grounded? We cannot let ourselves or others fall into the trap that there is no grace, there is no hope. As long as we are alive we have the ability to change things.
Is there someone you need to forgive and trust again? Do you need to forgive yourself? May we all find the grace we need for our journeys, and give it to others who need someone to confide in. If the Church won’t believe the people, who will?
