PROVERBS 24:16 YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN (OR WOMAN) DOWN

YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN

(OR WOMAN) DOWN

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 24:16 (MSG)

Obviously, Satan didn’t heed this advice. We are writing this tonight while Susie is in a severe flare of an as-yet-undiagnosed problem which may be lupus. Meanwhile, Susan is having such severe spasms and the sensation of lightning bolts in her legs (remnants, as she calls them) that she periodically cries out to Jesus so loud Susie is afraid the neighbors will call the police to say she is being harmed. However, we are determined not to be held down by our trials. Just as our Lord reached into the waves to lift Peter up when his faith waned, we know our Jesus will enable and empower us to continue doing what He has called us to do. According to Paul’s inspired words in Philippians 4:13 (AMPC), Jesus literally infuses us with His strength. “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Satan may stick his foot out to trip us, or we may just trip ourselves up by straying from the path Jesus has shown us to travel. However, our God does not expect us to pick ourselves up and dust off on our own. Like a loving Father walking beside His toddler, our God reaches down and lifts us up, gets us to our feet, and sets us back on the right path when we place our trust in Him. “And even though you trip up, you will not fall on your face because He holds you by the hand, (Psalm 37:24 VOICE).

Father, help us to live out the truth that You have shown us. Help us to fully rely on You and Your strength to help us faithfully carry on in the work to which You have called us no matter the circumstances or trials of each day. Thank You, Jesus, for holding our hands.