READ IT ALOUD: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Proverbs 24:16).

PONDER IT PRAYERFULLY: Righteousness is not determined by our falling but rather by our ability to get up, repent, return to God. The Lord has no desire to see us suffer; instead, He holds out His gifts of love and forgiveness, ready for all who will simply accept them. When we realize that Asshur, horses, and gods – material things and human creations – cannot heal us of the most urgent of conditions (sin), He picks us up and waters us, “as dew…” so that we can grow “as the lily,” and cast forth our roots like Lebanon (Hosea 14:5).

God does not expect us to pick ourselves up. He does that for us. All that is required is for us to realize our mistakes and turn from them. Not knowing that there is forgiveness available, or being deceived that it is not for us, can cause us to wallow in depressive dungeons for long periods of time, sometimes even years. This is one reason why the Bible says people perish for lack of knowledge. The father in Luke 15 saw his prodigal son “while he was yet a great way off” and ran to meet him. Why didn’t he chase after his son at the beginning? Because love does not force its way on others. God will urge us not to sin, but He will not force us to obey Him. Why aren’t we told about anyone else seeing the prodigal son as he returned? Probably because only the father’s heart could love so much that while everyone else was concerned with the humdrum of daily life and had rendered the prodigal son a riotous and forgotten rebel, this father’s heart never left him, always hoped for his return, and was ready to welcome him and celebrate him when this happened.

Ephraim shall say, what have I to do any more with idols? (Hosea 14:8a.) In the same way, any prodigal son will say, “what have I to do with riotous living?” And God says, “I hear you. Every good and perfect gift – good fruit – comes from Me.” (Hosea 14:8b.)

BE A DOER (JAMES 1:22): We all mess up. For anyone who truly loves the Lord or even has any idea who He is, the realization that we have gone against His Word despite all He has done for us can threaten to debilitate us. But God is not taken by surprise, and He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that His plans are in no way meant to harm us, but rather they are to bless us and give our stories beautiful endings. He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? The Bible asks. In the same way, would God expect us to forgive others if He did not first extend that forgiveness to us? What good does it do to concentrate on the sin? We know our Father – like the prodigal, we may forget the depths of His love and decide we will go back and be among the hired servants. But He saw our turning a long time ago – again, even in this, nothing takes Him by surprise! We are His adopted children and nothing can separate us from His love. Instead of dwelling on our mess-ups, why not decide to be brave and repentantly go to Him who already knows everything, ready to pour out our hearts before Him and receive His forgiveness? He has promised that to receive, all we need to do is ask (Matthew 7:7). He is close to the brokenhearted and to those who are contrite. He is near to those who call upon Him in truth.

You need to get back up, but you don’t need to get yourself back up. God knows your needs – He, not you, will provide them according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). I encourage you to turn from sin, forget condemnation, and rush into the arms of the Father who will rush to receive and forgive you, for He saw you while you were yet a great way off.

HIDE IT IN YOUR HEART (PSALM 119:11): I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. (Hosea 14:4).

PRAY IT PERSONALLY: Father in heaven, You are the God who sees and hears. Today I thank You for reminding me that falling does not mean it’s over – it is getting back up that counts, and You do not expect me to achieve this in my own strength. I confess that many times, I have dwelt on my mistakes – even grievous ones – too long and I pray that You would forgive me for this and remind me that You know everything and cannot be taken by surprise. Let this be a reason for me to confidently approach the throne of grace and obtain the mercy and grace that will help me at the times when I need to get back up. In Jesus’ Name, with love and thanks, Amen.

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