Encouragement
6For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief
Prov. 24:16
Show me the successful man and I will show you he who has failed many times. No one makes a lasting impact without some setbacks. Setback can often teach us more than successes. You can rise, not only after your falls, but through your falls. Think about it. Some misfortunes have been the ladder for the meteoric rise of some great men and women.
The word of God states clearly, ‘the just man falls seven times, but he rises again. If the unbeliever can rise from a fall how much more a child of the Most High God, who is the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and in truth.? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Let look at a few people who bounced back.
Peter
He was impetuous, gregarious and even pompous. He boldly told Jesus, he was Mr Loyal Commitment. He boasted in is ability to stick to the end, no matter what. Other may fail Jesus, run away, deny him, but not Peter. But Jesus, Who knew through and through, boldly replied: ‘Before the cock crows, you would have denied me three times. And that was exactly what happened. After denying Christ three times, Peter heard the cock crow and wept bitterly.
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Matt26:35
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.John18:25
He thought is was all over for him. He had boasted in his ability to remain loyal but failed woefully. Jesus, after He had risen from the dead came back to encourage Peter.
Not long after the Lord was crucified, he told the rest ,’I go fishing.’ As if it was to say, ‘Since it’s all over , I go back to the business I know best- fishing’ but the Lord had not finished with him. Soon after He rose from the dead He sent a message to Peter:
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark 16:7
Notice that Peter was singled out in this message.
Later we see how Jesus restored Peter, leading him to affirm his love and commitment to the Lord three times after failing three times. Jesus was still willing to entrust the Church to him in spite of the failure.
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
18Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." John21:15-18
After this restoration Peter went on to lead the Church and on the Day of Pentecost we see him on fire, leading from the front and addressing those who thought they were drunk having being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues. He was now relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and not on his ability. He went on to fulfil his ministry writing some letters that are part of the New Testament. He was one of those martyred for his faith. They wanted to crucify him, but he refuse to be crucified like his Lord and was crucified upside down.
Peter bounced back; you too can.
John Mark was one of the helpers in Paul’s Evangelistic team. Unfortunately he was forced to take time off for family duties and Paul was not happy about it. On another occasion Paul wanted to travel and Mark wanted to go with them but Paul was not having it. He did not want a quitter in his team. Barnabas was however sympathetic and understanding and wanted to give Mark the benefit the doubt. It let to a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas so much so that they had to part company.
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." 37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Who was right?
The answer could be found later when Paul admitted that Mark was profitable to him in ministry and asked for him to be brought.
10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
2Tim4:10-11
Mark went on to write one of the Gospels that bear his name. What a come back for an initial deserter.
Have been labelled a deserter, backslider, a no-hoper. You can bounce back and make an impact that cannot be erased. It is not over until God says so. So get up from where you are and give it another try. God still has confidence in you. He has not written you off. Man may write you off but God still believes in the efficacy of the blood to take care of any sin that is confessed and forsaken.
8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.1John1:8-10
13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy Prov 28:13
Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:18-19
Saul
What shall we say about Saul of Tarsus, the murderer? He wasted the Church, championed its persecution, hurled many Christian into prison, and presided over the deaths of some of them. A prominent example was Steven. This Saul, who later became Paul, cheered, and egged the murderous gangs as the stoned people to death.
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: Gal1:13 KJV
13For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. Message
11Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 12and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Acts 9:11-13
God arrested Paul on the Road to Damascus on his way to destroy some more lives His conversion was total, undisputable and comprehensive. Paul did not waste time. With the same zeal with which he persecuted the Church, he became its champion, defending the Gospel, building Churches, strengthening them and writing 13 best sellers that have stood the test of time.
If Paul can come back, why not you?
Let us Pray:
Father I thank you for Your love that is unfailing and for your grace that is boundless. If You should regard iniquity who will stand?
Than you for the way back into your fold and warmth through the blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you for the opportunity to bounce back, not by my might nor by my power, but by Your Holy Spirit.
I now look unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of my faith to take me to the next level in my Race of Grace.
Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for restoring me.
I draw strength, grace and wisdom from you, amen.
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