July 1, 2012

When Trials Come

“God is keeping careful watch over us and the future… I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime.” 1 Peter 1:5,6

“No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don't stay down long; Soon they're up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.” Proverbs 24:16

Another version of this passage states that a righteous man will fall seven times in a day, but will still get back up. So many times I heard that this passage is referring to “sin” when it speaks of falling. I do not think this is the case. I believe that it is speaking of trials, of situations beyond our control which trip us up and land us on our faces. But unlike other men, we get up, because we have reason to get up. When a wicked man falls to the ground what reason does he have to pick himself up? His end is himself, and so with himself he will wallow in his misery. But no so for us, for when the difficulties of life trip us up we look beyond ourselves to the majesty of God. We get up, because we have reason to look up.

“Fix your eyes on Jesus… so you will not become weary and discouraged.” Hebrews 12:2-3