Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his resting place; for a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Proverbs 24:15-16

~~~~~

Felled Again
By Jennifer Kane

I fell again.
It happens when I try to walk by my own power,
when I charge ahead,
forgetting the steady strength of my Father’s hand.

I always seem to forget
how clumsy I am
when I willingly let go of His hand,
rushing off from His side,
drawn by something fluttery,
something bright,
something so fleeting and small.

But the road is uneven,
and the stones are sharp.
My feet stumble,
and I fall—
again.

Yet I do not have a miserable fate.
Even in the dirt,
even when the sting of my knees burn hot,
I remember…
I remember Him.

When the adrenaline fades
and the tears start to blur my vision,
I reach out trembling hands,
calling to the One who never forgets me.

And He comes.
He always, always comes.

With gentle hands, He lifts me.
He dusts the grime from my knees,
brushes the road’s weariness from my heart,
and gathers me close.

“My child,” He whispers,
“Hold tight to Me.”

And together, we continue our walk.
This time, I do not let go.
This time, His hand steadies mine.
And though the road is still uneven,
I trust in His strength, not my own.

For even if I am felled again,
I know my Father will be there—
to lift me,
to guide me,
to walk with me
hand in hand.

~~~~~

Scriptures: Proverbs 24:15-16

Life is filled with trials, setbacks, and even moments of failure. Yet Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that the righteous will rise again. This resilience is not born of our own strength but of God’s faithfulness and sustaining power.

The “fall” described here can represent trouble, failure, or even sin. But the key distinction of the righteous is their ability to get back up, empowered by God’s grace. The believer falls seven times a day and yet rises up again. The grace of God in us will not allow us to lie prostrate.

In contrast, the wicked fall by calamity, their foundation unable to sustain them in times of trouble.

After a fall—whether it’s a moral failure, a setback, or a trial—begin by turning to God. Pour out your heart to Him honestly, acknowledging your need for His help. Psalm 34:17 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” After failing to meet a personal goal, such as maintaining a spiritual discipline or handling a conflict gracefully, pause and ask for forgiveness, wisdom, and strength.

Let God’s Word remind you of His character and His plans for you. Memorize or meditate on verses like Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:28, or Psalm 37:23-24 to strengthen your faith and renew your hope. When struggling with discouragement, write down promises from Scripture and place them where you’ll see them daily, such as on a mirror or in a journal.

God often uses others to help lift us up. Confide in a trusted Christian friend or mentor who can pray for you, encourage you, and provide wisdom. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” If you’ve sinned, confess to someone who will lovingly hold you accountable and point you back to God’s grace.

Rising after a fall doesn’t always mean a giant leap; sometimes, it’s about taking one step at a time. Break down what needs to be done into manageable actions, trusting God to guide you. If you’ve fallen behind in your spiritual life, start by spending just 5-10 minutes daily in prayer or Scripture reading.

Ask yourself what contributed to the stumble and what changes you can make to avoid a similar situation. James 1:2-4 teaches that trials and challenges refine us, building perseverance and maturity. If you fell into temptation, identify the triggers and put safeguards in place, such as limiting access to certain environments or practicing Scripture memorization.

Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Even your fall can become a stepping stone for growth, humility, and a deeper relationship with God. If you’ve faced a significant setback in your career or life, trust God’s timing and pray for Him to open doors that align with His purpose.

~~~~~

Father, thank You for being the lifter of my head and the strength of my heart. When I fall, remind me of Your promises and help me rise again by Your grace. Teach me to persevere in faith, knowing that You are completing the good work You began in me. May I always trust in Your plans and find hope in Your presence, even in the hardest times. In Jesus’ name, amen.

January 24 2025