Proverbs 24 - 7.1.24

Scripture

Proverbs 24:15-16

15 Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; 16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Observation

Although King Solomon wrote a bulk of the Proverbs, many scholars believe that Proverbs 22:17-24:34 may have been compiled by King Solomon, but not necessarily written by him.(1) It again compares and contrasts righteousness vs. wickedness. When we choose righteousness, we are under the strength and protection of God. Being under the strength and protection of the Lord is the best place to be. The Proverbs that I chose speaks on the resilience of the righteous (2). The definition of resilience is “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness (3).”

References: (1)studylight.org, (2)enduringword.com, (3)New Oxford American Dictionary

Application

We are resilient overcomers due to God’s protection and care!

Righteous people have a resilience that the wicked do not. One of the best compliments I had ever received from a non-believing friend was on how I handled hardships and trials. Although she didn’t have faith in the Lord, she noticed a different type of strength that wasn’t based on circumstances; a strength that could only come from a greater power outside of myself! (She continues to be in my prayers so that she and her family could experience the same thing!)

We are able to get back up again through the disciplines of prayer, fasting and being in His Word, but also through the faith and encouragement of other Believers in Christ. 

With God on our side, we can conquer anything, no matter the circumstances. Even though we fall 7 times, we can rise and get back up again, as these Proverbs say. 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

It is encouraging to know that I have You by my side through the difficulties in life. Even when I fall down, I am able to get back up again. If I can’t pull myself back up, thank You for surrounding me with faith counselors and brothers and sisters in the faith who can give me a hand. Please continue to lift me up and surround me with encouragers who can lift me up in You when I am down. I pray that I would provide the same encouragement to others. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi