Getting Back Up 重新站立
Dexu Xia
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Proverbs 24:16
Today's Scripture: Proverbs 24:15-22
Today's Insights
Proverbs 22:17–24:22 includes the heading “Thirty Sayings of the Wise.” This section is a collection of wise words “of counsel and knowledge” (22:20) to encourage the reader to trust in God and live honest and God-honoring lives (vv. 19-21). Each saying in this section of Proverbs encourages the reader to adopt or avoid certain behaviors and uses the characteristic injunction “Do not . . .” followed by the reason or consequence of obedience or disobedience (see 22:22-23; 23:3, 4-5; 24:1-2). Proverbs 24:15-22 focuses primarily on our attitude toward evildoers. We’re not to imitate their evil deeds, gloat over their downfall (vv. 17-18), or envy their successes (vv. 19-20). Instead, we’re to fear both God and his agent, the governing authorities, for they will punish evildoers (vv. 21-22).
Today's Devotional
As a teen, I was enthralled with the sport of figure skating. I loved the blend of artistry and athleticism on ice, with the fast spins, high jumps, and perfect poses. After watching many professional skaters perform, I finally got the opportunity to go ice skating and be part of a group lesson. Along with learning how to glide and stop, we learned some of the most important skills for a skater at any level—how to fall and get back up quickly. Later, I learned many spins and jumps in private lessons, but always had to rely on the basics of how to get up after a fall.
We don’t have to be athletes to know that “falling” is part of life. Perhaps we fall because we’ve sinned, we stumble due to a mistake, or we get knocked down by an overwhelming circumstance. Maybe we find ourselves being attacked by the devil one way or another. “We are . . . persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). No matter the reason, we all fall and experience failure in life. But we’re not meant to live in defeat, shame, or regret. When the enemy is lurking nearby and trying to plunder from us (Proverbs 24:15), we need to remember that God is fighting for us and will help us get back up, “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (v. 16). When we fall, let’s quickly turn to God and fix our eyes on Him who gives us the strength to get back up.
Reflect & PrayHow do you handle the falls in life? How has God helped you get back up?
Dear God, thank You for helping me get up after a fall.
因为义人虽然七次跌倒，仍必兴起，恶人却被灾祸倾覆。箴言 24章16节
今日经文 箴言 24章5-22节
今日心得 箴言 22章17节到24章22节记载了标题为《智者三十名言》的内容。此部分的箴言收集了“忠告和知识”的智慧话语（22:20），鼓励读者信靠上帝，过诚实和敬畏上帝的生活（19-21节）。箴言这部分中的每句话都鼓励读者采取或避免某些行为，并使用典型的禁令句式，“不要……”，后面跟着服从或不服从的原因或后果（见 22:22-23；23:3、4-5；24:1-2）。箴言24章15-22节主要关注我们对作恶者的态度。我们不应效仿他们的恶行，也不要幸灾乐祸地看着他们的垮台（17-18节），也不应嫉妒他们的成功（第 19-20 节）。相反，我们应该敬畏上帝和他的代理人，即执政当局，因为他们会惩罚作恶的人（21-22节）。
今日灵修 十几岁时我迷上了花样滑冰运动。我喜欢冰上艺术和运动的融合，喜欢快速旋转、高跳和完美的姿势。在观看了许多专业滑冰运动员的表演后，我终于有机会去滑冰并参加小组课程。除了学习如何滑行和停止外，我们还要学一些对任何级别滑冰运动员都是最重要的技能，如何摔倒并快速站起来。后来我在私人课中学会许多旋转和跳跃，但总是不得不依靠跌倒后如何站起来的基本技巧。
我们不必成为运动员，也知道“跌倒”是生活的一部分。也许我们跌倒是因为我们犯了罪，我们因错误而跌倒，或者我们被压倒性的情况击倒。也许我们发现自己以这样或那样的方式受到魔鬼的攻击。“我们……受逼迫，却不被丢弃；打倒了，却不至死亡”（哥林多后书 4章8-9节）。无论出于什么原因，我们都会跌倒，在生活中经历失败。但我们不应该生活在失败、羞耻或悔恨中。当敌人潜伏在附近试图掠夺我们时（箴言24:15），我们需要记住，上帝正在为我们而战，并将帮助我们重新站起来，“因为义人虽七次跌倒，仍必兴起”（16节）。当我们跌倒时，让我们迅速转向上帝，注视祂，祂必给予我们力量重新站起来。
反思与祈祷
你如何处理生活中的跌倒？上帝如何帮助你重新站起来？
亲爱的上帝，谢谢你帮助我在跌倒后站起来。