Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up. (Proverbs 24:16)
Growing up as a kid, one of my favorite movies to watch was the 1970’s boxing film called Rocky starring Sylvester Stallone. The first set of films all had similar themes. Rocky would train hard, win matches, and climb up the heavyweight ranks. But in order to win the title belt, he needed to box someone who was bigger, faster, and more experienced than he was. The fight would begin with the competitor dominating the rounds, as series of punches would send Rocky flying to the ground. He fell so many times that right when the referee was about to call off the fight, Rocky would just make it up to his feet again. No matter how many times Rocky got knocked down, he kept getting back up. Soon his competitor became exhausted, and then Rocky would unleash a series of combinations to pull off the victory.
This classic 1970’s film gives us a glance of today’s proverb. No matter how many times a righteous person gets knocked down, they will get up. But how is this possible? Psalms 37:24 explains how this happens—Though the righteous person falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord supports him with his hand. Unlike Rocky, who dug deep within himself for inner strength and determination, the righteous person digs deep to rely on his God. The righteous person gets their grit from God.
Does it feel like something in your life just knocked you flat on your face? Has this incident left you so discouraged that it’s making you doubt God’s promises for your life? Has God called you to do something, but it feels like you’re failing miserably at it? Maybe you feel like you keep tripping up and falling down, and you’re ready to throw in the towel. Be encouraged by today’s proverb: Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up. You will get up—not because of you, but because of your God. Paul explained this truth to us, “God will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:8-9). You have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in your corner. God has called you to be his child to the end. So he will pick you up each time you fall. Whatever you’re facing today, ask the Father to help you make it through today.