Proverbs for Living - 24

Proverbs 24:16 (CSB) - "Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin."

I like the way that Peterson translated verse 10 in the Message, "If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you in the first place." Dr. Jerry Falwell said over and over, "You don't determine a man's greatness by his talent or by his wealth, as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage him." D. L. Moody is quoted as saying, "I've never known God to use a discouraged person."

Everybody has trouble. This is not a reason for quitting. Harry Truman had a biblical basis for what he said so often, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." As Children of God we need to learn to "stand the heat." There are two words that should not be in the Christian's vocabulary - "quit" and "cannot."

This ties with the opening verse today. If we are in God's Will, we can often find ourselves with two strikes, but we cannot strike out. God often takes us to edge before taking us through. The old adage, "It's darkest before the dawn" is the way that He will train us. He uses these trials to strengthen us. To grow us. To make us trust Him more. So.........just hang in there. Hold on a little longer. And He will always give the victory.

Prayer: Father, I look to You to instruct me in Your Ways. They are so far higher than my ways. Often I fail to understand them, but I am learning to trust You. Amen.