Introduction
“For we all stumble in many ways.” James 3:2a
“…the righteous falls seven times and rises again” Proverbs 24:16a
Every week it seems we hear stories of pastors, teachers, and leaders stepping down or removed from their posts due to moral failures of some kind. And while we might be tempted to shake our heads and exclaim our disappointment, if we are honest, we know that we too are prone to stumbles and falls.
The world, the devil, and our own flesh all conspire together to wear us down, distract us, trip us up, and trap us. We get weary, become downcast, lose sight of Jesus, and then stumble along the way. We get distracted by temporary things such as work, worries, and desires, take our eyes off Jesus, and down we go. It happens faster than we think possible and far more often than we want to admit.
Some of us wallow when we fall. We give in to despair and foolishly reason that since we have fallen, we might as well give up on walking altogether. What started as a fall turns into a foray into enemy territory where we risk captivity and do damage to ourselves and those around us.
Others of us minimize or deny our falls. We pretend that all is well with us. We go through all the motions of our faith, hoping that no one catches us out. We prop ourselves up with good works and appropriate appearances for as long as possible. We falsely believe that if we just try hard enough, we will get back on our feet, but we quickly discover that we are unable.
But the prophet Micah gives us the right response to a fall, “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication.” Micah 7:7-9
In Micah 7:7-8, Jesus is speaking through His prophet, Micah, anticipating His death on the cross. On the cross, it was as if He “fell,” though He was the only one who never did. At the cross, Jesus “fell” under the weight of our sin. He hung in darkness for three hours under the judgment of God while bearing the indignation of God’s wrath over our sin. Then He rose again on the third day and was brought out into the light, having been vindicated by God, His Father.
When Micah himself fell, he said, “I will look to the Lord” and “I shall look upon His vindication,” and so, like Jesus, Micah would “rise again” and be brought out into the light.
Friend, falls are unavoidable, and we end up in darkness by our sin. But by looking to Jesus on the cross, we see both His condemnation and our justification. We see Jesus risen from the dead and “pleading our cause” before the Father, and so we rise again, knowing there is no condemnation for us.
When you fall, look to Jesus and see that on the cross, He paid your sin debt and bore the indignation of the Lord for you. Indeed, Jesus has taken all the wrath of the Father so that there is none left for you. There is no condemnation for you because Jesus stood in your place, and judgment was executed on Him. In Heaven, Jesus presents His wounds and pleads your cause. Your are justified from all falls and fully vindicated by the work of Jesus! He has raised and will continue to raise you to walk by His Spirit.
Illustration
There are many illustrations of people falling in sin throughout the Scriptures because every human except Jesus has fallen at some point. For example, Moses was zealous for God and His people, but then he murdered an Egyptian and ran away to hide for 40 years. But at the right time, the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush and restored Moses to a place of usefulness. David, the man after God’s own heart, fell to adultery and murder, yet looked to the Lord and was restored.
Peter boasted that he would never fall away from Jesus, but just a few hours later he fell to denying Christ repeatedly (Matthew 26:30-75). Three times Peter swore that he did not know Jesus. But then Jesus came and Peter was restored by grace and told to feed Jesus’ lambs, made useful in ministry despite and even through his fall.
We could continue listing the many people who fell in sin and experienced the consequences and suffering that a fall into sin brings, but what is essential to see is that each one, without exception, was found by Jesus and restored by God’s grace and love. You will be, too.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10
Application
Do you find yourself fallen by the way, tripped or trapped by some sin that hinders you? Look to Jesus and see His heart of love pierced for you. See Jesus dying to pay for the sin in which you stumbled. See Him liberating you from the penalty of your sin. See yourself dying with Him and rising with Him. Remember that you are dead to sin; it is not your master. Let the grace of Jesus flow to you and teach you to say no to ungodliness and worldly lusts. See the love of Jesus on the cross and let it lift you out of your pit to walk again in the Light.
Are you weary and stumbling in your walk? Are you tired of the pressures of this life, distracted by the cares of the world? Look to Jesus and experience His sacrificial love flowing to you from the cross. See the blood Jesus shed, filling you with faith and hope for a blessed future. See Jesus working for you and in you. See Jesus breathing out His last to breathe life abundant into you. Fix your eyes and your thoughts on Jesus and remember His sacrifice for you, and as you do, His resurrection power will move you and use you to the glory of God
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
How does looking to Jesus, crucified and risen for you, lift you up today?
Larry writes, “He gives me hope in the middle of my weak, sinful flesh that as long as I keep getting up and looking more closely to Jesus at the cross and beyond, I have hope to go on and be transformed more each day to reflect His glory more clearly! Thank you, Jesus!”
Judy writes, “Dear God, As I look to you and see all you have given in Jesus dying on the cross and rising again, taking all my sins with Him, knowing all I need do is look to you and accept the gift you have given that you are in charge and I need to trust in You and look to You for guidance through the holy spirit showing me the way.“
Mike L. writes, “Wow this is absolutely beautiful and encouraging, Jesus’ love, mercy and grace toward me are unfathomable. It’s hard to believe sometimes that I am loved this much, what encouragement from the apostle Peter; And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ. Lord Jesus thank you for Your sacrifice on my behalf, thank You that when I do stumble You are right there pleading my case once again, You are worthy to be worshiped, I love You so much and pray that You will find my life to be worthy of that love.“
Sophia writes, “I love the term “soar” being used in this Isaiah passage. Not just fly, but Soar! It sounds majestic and powerful, and that’s the type of strength we have through Christ’s death! He can take us from the pit of absolute misery after having a fall like David’s (being caught in adultery and then sending the husband to the front lines to be killed) to soaring on eagles’ wings. Wow. There is hope for the Christian to say “when I fall, I shall rise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me”. Thank you, God, for your unfathomable grace which allows you to lift us up from the pit.“
Reprinted by permission from the Looking to Jesus study at www.settingcaptivesfree.com. SCF exists to help men and women find freedom in Christ through the gospel.