We have an interesting, small daily reading proverbs book compiled with very many African proverbs. One recent Nigerian proverb grabbed my attention. It says – “Keep your eyes on the destination and not where you stumbled!” I think each one of us can resonate with this as we ALL make mistakes or stumble and fall at one time or another. Falling is inevitable.
Proverbs 24:6 in KJV says – “For a just man falls seven times and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” The NIV version states – “…though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”
One Greek word for stumble is Ptaio (πταίω) which means to trip, slip, or make a mistake. It is frequently translated as ”stumble” or ”fall” in a moral sense, highlighting human imperfection and sin, for example James 3:2 ESV states – “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”
When I look back, into the past; I am ashamed of all the many times I stumbled and fell, especially when I was a young woman, seeking my way in the world. However, I can freely testify that our blessed Abba Father God always, and every time, picked me up when I ran to Him in repentance or for safety. Jesus is aways willing to pick us up and forgive us when we stumble. But are we willing to forgive ourselves? Often, we feel ashamed, and we repent and we are forgiven, but we still believe Satan’s condemnations and not Christ’s sweet convictions. Also, sometimes, it is easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves. We quickly extend grace to friends but remember our own failures and forget that what Christ forgives, He forgets, as if we have NEVER done it!
God does not demand perfection from us. He calls us to keep returning to Him, and to keep getting back up when life knocks us down. The Christian journey of sanctification is not about excellent performance but more about enduring and constant surrender to the One who sustains us. Psalm 37:23 + 24 say – “The LORD makes firm/establishes the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
I have sometimes stumbled physically, yet I have not actually fallen down, but when I have fallen; it has been very painful and difficult to rise again due to both my hip and my knee having implanted prosthesis. I had an unbelievably bad fall in London recently when the dog I was leading on a leash, pulled me hard when he saw another dog. I went down extremely hard and struggled, even with Seppo’s help, to get up from the hard stone street. Suddenly a strange young man came and picked me up as if I were as light as a feather! That is how Christ is when we stumble, fall or sin, and make mistakes we wish we did not do. He rushes to our aid and picks us up the instant we call out to Him.
When Peter walked on the water after Jesus said to him – “Come,” Peter did not hesitate, and he walked smoothly on the water. But when he looked at the waves and stumbled, he cried out only three words – “LORD, SAVE ME!” and Jesus reached out and pulled him out of his troubles. (Matt. 14:30) We need to call out the same words when we stumble or fall! Psalm 145:14 states – “The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:14)
Sometimes we stumble when we are uncertain about the next step in our lives. We doubt Abba Father and we perhaps listen to the enemy’s whisper that we are not trustworthy, or that we cannot manage, or that we are forgotten and that nobody cares for us. We might not fall physically, but we stumble in our thoughts, or we are impatient for our Lord’s clear direction for us. Our heavenly Father is ALWAYS interested in our lives. HIS plans and purposes are always the absolute best! “But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” (Psalm 37:39-40)
When little children fall, their loving parents rush to pick them up, brush the dirt off them, hug and kiss them, comfort them and help them to recover. How much MORE Abba Father delights to do that for us too! He tells us in Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Precious Abba Father God, thank YOU that You are always willing to pick me up when I stumble or fall. I regret all the times that I did not run to You when I sinned, or was anxious, doubtful, or stressed. Please assist me to do better in the future and to return quickly to the green fields, where my Good Shepherd leads me to calm waters and safety. Thank you that YOU are my security and refuge, my strength, my fortress, and my hiding place. I love and praise You for being my Lord and my Rescuer! Amen
Myrtle Turunen