Keep Getting Up!

“A righteous man (woman) falls seven times and rises again. But the wicked shall fall by calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16, emphasis mine)

Strong words. I fall, yet I will arise! It is not only a promise but a declaration: The Godly KEEP GETTING UP!

This verse displays the difference between the godly person who falls and that of the ungodly. At a quick glance it states they both fall, which is true but it is how they fall that makes all the difference. The author of Proverbs paints an outstanding picture; he actually uses two different words to describe the fall. The righteous man, the man who knows who he is, full of God and God stuff, when realizing his mistake, his failure, falls as to prostrate oneself, literally meaning to present, (in the Hebrew) When we fall, we fall at God’s feet, there at His feet is mercy, forgiveness and grace.  God lifting grace. Arise.

The wicked man however is described completely different; the person was in the wrong, is in the wrong and has no intention of leaving the wrong. His fall means he falters, stumbles, is weak, conveying there they sit and wallow in it. His is a lifestyle of down and choosing to stay down. But even more so, his place is defined as various shades of evil, in the moral and ethical sense. Notice too, the difference of destination? The righteous fall and rise right back up. The wicked, um… no.

We, listed among humanity, fail and make mistakes and frankly pull the stupid card at times, but “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) And REMEMBER …  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (Jesus, John 10:10) When you are getting up, do not, do NOT listen to him, do not look at him when he attempts steal your victory, kill your joy or destroy your testimony.    With our “eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus, off and running, and not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.” (Phil. 3:13-15 MSG)  We the righteous,  dust ourselves off – full of God … wallow not, we arise!

“A righteous man falls seven times and rises again.”

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)