Down But Not Out

Life sure does have a way of barreling at us from a myriad of directions. Issue after Issue seems to be at our doorstep, with no end in sight. We find ourselves in a “Job” position, questioning God on just why He is allowing us to go through all of this turmoil even though we’ve been faithful and obedient. We feel like surely this season is a mistake, because we have done all God has commanded us to do, and that very soon our deliverance will come.

Come on church! You may be down for a moment, but with God on your side you will never be out!

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Often times with trials come emotional traps sent by the enemy in the form of depression, frustration, fear, doubt, or worry.

Don’t use temporary setbacks as an excuse to quit living for Jesus. In a boxing match, the fighter can get knocked down, but he has until the referee counts to ten to get back up and keep fighting. I don’t know what number we’re on, but I know it isn’t ten yet, so we can’t just lie down and give up. The real Champ in our fight has never been defeated and we are blessed that He is in our corner! We might’ve been down, but I’m not out and neither are you!

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

When we hear that voice in our heads calling us failures, I can promise you that it isn’t God’s voice. It’s the accuser’s voice, who doesn’t stop accusing day or night.

All God is doing is urging us to repent, He is not here telling us to quit trying. He is telling us to get back up and start fighting.

Have you ever been tripped up by the devil? You’re not a failure because you’ve fallen. You’re a failure if you don’t get back up.

Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

You cannot keep a just man down.

He has purpose for his life and the Holy Ghost dwelling on the inside.

Simon Peter fell. Peter was constantly falling…

He took a few steps on water, and he began to sink due to his lack of faith.

Another time Peter denied the Lord in the court yard after Christ’s arrest. (Society caused him to fall) But Peter went out and wept bitterly, and we find that when Jesus was giving the news of his Resurrection he said, “Go tell my disciples and Peter.”

The just person has the power of prayer on their side. Peter, though he began to sink while walking on water prayed a three-word prayer, “Lord, Save me.”  The Lord immediately reached down and lifted Peter out of the sea.

Conclusion:

It is a sad situation to see a child of God fall by the wayside. We should possess a great burden for that person. We need to have the knowledge to understand that if they really know the Lord in the free pardon of sin, that they will get back up and get on the path to righteousness again.

Seven times fallen, means that they had to get up at least six times in order to fall again. Thank God that he lifts us up when we pray.

The just person rises up again. Peter did and preached that great message at Pentecost (Acts. 2).

We are human and that means that, on our own, we are frail, weak, and destined to stumble.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God designed us, so He knows all about the chinks in our armor. It’s okay to admit that we need Him! God is not disappointed in me or in you for not “getting it right” all the time.

In my weaknesses, Christ’s power rests on me! My perseverance and dependence on Him!

When I was a brand-new Christian, I really wanted to do everything just right. I felt like I was a disappointment to God every time I messed up. I’d always heard that once people became a Christian, it wasn’t that they couldn’t live the way they did before, but that they didn’t want to.

Somebody needs to get fired up for a rematch!