10 If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you in the first place.
15-16 Don’t interfere with good people’s lives; don’t try to get the best of them. 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: 10, 15-16 The Message
At some point in our lives, most of us will go through a crisis, or a challenging time. When this happens, our trust and reliance on the Lord will be tested. During trying periods, our strength and survival are dependent upon the Lord, and upon our relationship with Him.
Here, the writer of Proverbs draws a distinction between those who are good, God-loyal people, and those who are not. From the author’s perspective, the difference can be seen in how people handle the emergencies, and sudden challenges we all face in life.
While God-loyal people may be knocked back temporarily, they will get back up on the horse. The setback proves to be temporary. Why is this so? Because they do not rely solely upon their own strength. Instead, they draw strength in their close relationship with God. The Lord lifts them up and dusts them off, even when the world has knocked them down.
The author also warns everyone not to attempt to bring others down. He says that people should not trip to “trip others up” by cornering them, in hopes of defeating. To those who are grounded in faith always find the power to get themselves “up off the ground”, with the Lord's help.
In contrast, the wicked do not merely stumble. They end up sprawled out on the ground, face-first. Why? They put their faith and trust in themselves, and not in the Lord.
What can we learn from this story? When struggles occur, and we feel overwhelmed with negative things going on in our lives, we are not alone. The blessed news is that we never have to face a crisis by ourselves.
The Lord is always ready and waiting for us to ask Him to be a part of our lives. We must confess our need to have Him in our lives, admitting that we cannot do it ourselves. Then we must put our faith and trust in the one who is able to put all the pieces back together. God will help us be that finished puzzle with all the pieces in the right place.
Prayer
Thank You Lord, for your endless support, and your desire to be a part of my life. Forgive me when I try to negotiate troubled times without asking for Your help. Let the faith I have in You not only cover me with the strength I need, but also be a witness to those who have not given their whole lives to You. My strength is in you, O Lord.
Through the grace You offer me abundantly, I pray these words in the name of Your Son, and my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen
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