Rising Again: Wisdom and Faith in Adversity

Devotional

Day 1: Wisdom in Proverbs

The book of Proverbs offers timeless truths that guide us in making wise decisions and living righteously. It is not a formula for success or failure but a guide to help us navigate life with good judgment. Applying these truths helps us avoid pitfalls and live a life that honors God. Proverbs teaches us that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and that understanding comes from knowing Him. It encourages us to seek wisdom diligently, as it is more precious than silver and gold.

Proverbs 24:16 tells us, "The righteous may fall seven times, but still get up." This verse reminds us that even when we make mistakes or face challenges, we can rise again through God's grace. Wisdom helps us recognize our errors, learn from them, and make better choices in the future. By embracing the teachings of Proverbs, we can cultivate a life of integrity, humility, and righteousness.

Proverbs 3:13-14 (ESV): "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made that didn't turn out as expected. How can you apply the wisdom from Proverbs to make a better choice next time? [39:38]

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Day 2: Vigilance Against Evil

We must be vigilant against the schemes of the wicked, who often attack by surprise. This vigilance is built through spiritual disciplines like worship, Bible reading, and prayer. These practices strengthen our faith and help us recognize and shut the doors to potential vulnerabilities. By staying close to God and immersing ourselves in His Word, we can discern the enemy's tactics and stand firm against them.

Spiritual disciplines are not just religious routines but vital practices that keep us connected to God and grounded in His truth. Worship helps us focus on God's greatness and goodness, Bible reading fills our minds with His wisdom, and prayer keeps us in constant communication with Him. Together, these disciplines fortify our spiritual defenses and enable us to live victoriously.

Ephesians 6:11 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Reflection: What spiritual discipline do you need to strengthen in your life to be more vigilant against the enemy's schemes? [51:11]

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Day 3: Getting Up After a Fall

Even the righteous may fall, but they will get up again. When we make mistakes or face unexpected challenges, the Holy Spirit convicts us, leading us to repentance and forgiveness. We must resist the enemy's attempts to condemn us and trust in God's promise of no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Falling is a part of the human experience, but staying down is not an option for those who trust in God.

God's grace is sufficient to lift us up and restore us when we fall. The key is to respond to the Holy Spirit's conviction with humility and repentance. By doing so, we can experience God's forgiveness and continue our journey with renewed strength and determination. Remember, God's love for us is unwavering, and His mercies are new every morning.

Micah 7:8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you fell and felt condemned. How can you embrace God's forgiveness and rise again today? [59:14]

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Day 4: Faith in Adversity

The story of Job teaches us to trust and worship God even in the midst of immense suffering. Job's unwavering faith, despite losing everything, serves as a powerful example for us. Trusting God requires having faith in the moment, no matter how messy it is. Job's story reminds us that our faith is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God.

In times of adversity, it is natural to question and struggle, but we must hold on to our faith and continue to worship God. Job's perseverance and trust in God's sovereignty ultimately led to his restoration. Similarly, our faith in adversity can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's love and faithfulness.

James 1:12 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you trust and worship God in the midst of this adversity? [01:03:57]

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Day 5: Eternal Perspective

We should not envy the seemingly prosperous wicked, as their end is eternal separation from God. The righteous, on the other hand, have the promise of eternal life with God, free from sin, pain, and suffering. This eternal perspective helps us remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God's ultimate plan. It reminds us that our true reward is not in this world but in the life to come.

Focusing on eternity helps us navigate the challenges and injustices of this world with hope and patience. It encourages us to live righteously and to store up treasures in heaven rather than seeking temporary gains. By keeping our eyes on the eternal prize, we can endure hardships and remain faithful to God's calling.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary struggles to the eternal promises of God today? [01:08:08]

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, focusing on how it guides us to live righteously and make sound decisions. Proverbs is not a formula for guaranteed success or failure but a collection of truths that help us navigate life wisely. We all make mistakes, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves in messy situations. The key is to get up again, as Proverbs 24:16 tells us, "The righteous may fall seven times, but still get up."

I shared a personal story about a poor decision I made at a theme park, emphasizing the importance of using wisdom and good judgment. We also explored the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are those who have entered into a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, while the wicked are those still under the influence of evil.

We discussed the importance of being vigilant against the schemes of the wicked, who often attack by surprise. This vigilance is built through spiritual disciplines like worship, Bible reading, and prayer. These practices strengthen our faith and help us recognize and shut the doors to potential vulnerabilities.

Even when we fall, whether due to moral failures, bad financial decisions, or other life challenges, we must remember that God is with us. The Holy Spirit convicts us, leading us to repentance and forgiveness. We must resist the enemy's attempts to condemn us and instead trust in God's promise of no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

We also looked at the story of Job, who, despite immense suffering, continued to trust and worship God. His faith in the midst of adversity serves as a powerful example for us. Finally, we were reminded not to envy the seemingly prosperous wicked, as their end is eternal separation from God, while the righteous have the promise of eternal life.

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Key Takeaways

1. Wisdom in Proverbs: The book of Proverbs offers timeless truths that guide us in making wise decisions and living righteously. It is not a formula for success or failure but a guide to help us navigate life with good judgment. Applying these truths helps us avoid pitfalls and live a life that honors God. [39:38]
2. Vigilance Against Evil: We must be vigilant against the schemes of the wicked, who often attack by surprise. This vigilance is built through spiritual disciplines like worship, Bible reading, and prayer. These practices strengthen our faith and help us recognize and shut the doors to potential vulnerabilities. [51:11]
3. Getting Up After a Fall: Even the righteous may fall, but they will get up again. When we make mistakes or face unexpected challenges, the Holy Spirit convicts us, leading us to repentance and forgiveness. We must resist the enemy's attempts to condemn us and trust in God's promise of no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. [59:14]
4. Faith in Adversity: The story of Job teaches us to trust and worship God even in the midst of immense suffering. Job's unwavering faith, despite losing everything, serves as a powerful example for us. Trusting God requires having faith in the moment, no matter how messy it is. [63:57]
5. Eternal Perspective: We should not envy the seemingly prosperous wicked, as their end is eternal separation from God. The righteous, on the other hand, have the promise of eternal life with God, free from sin, pain, and suffering. This eternal perspective helps us remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God's ultimate plan. [01:08:08]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:38] - Introduction to Proverbs and Wisdom
[40:40] - Personal Story: Theme Park Incident
[43:47] - Getting Up from a Mess
[44:52] - Reading Proverbs 24:13-20
[45:52] - Prayer and Context of the Righteous and Wicked
[47:14] - Who Are the Righteous and Wicked?
[47:58] - Warning to the Wicked
[48:56] - Vigilance Against Evil
[51:11] - Spiritual Disciplines for Vigilance
[53:57] - The Righteous May Fall but Get Up
[55:35] - Understanding a Fall
[59:14] - Responding to Moral Failures
[60:10] - No Condemnation in Christ
[61:06] - Trusting God in Messy Situations
[62:00] - The Story of Job
[63:57] - Faith in Adversity
[65:23] - Do Not Envy the Wicked
[68:08] - Eternal Perspective
[69:13] - Invitation to God's Grace
[70:13] - Prayer for Salvation
[71:21] - Invitation to Worship and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 24:16, what happens to the righteous when they fall? How does this compare to the fate of the wicked? [44:52]
What are some of the spiritual disciplines mentioned in the sermon that help us remain vigilant against the schemes of the wicked? [53:57]
How does the story of Job illustrate faith in the midst of adversity? [01:02:00]
What does Romans 8:1 say about condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? [01:00:10]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to understand that Proverbs is not a formula for guaranteed success or failure but a guide for wise living? How does this perspective affect our daily decisions? [39:38]
How can spiritual disciplines like worship, Bible reading, and prayer help us recognize and shut the doors to potential vulnerabilities? [53:57]
In what ways does the Holy Spirit convict us and lead us to repentance and forgiveness when we fall? [58:12]
How does Job's response to his suffering challenge our own reactions to adversity? What can we learn from his unwavering faith? [01:02:00]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you made a poor decision. How did you get back up, and what role did your faith play in that process? [43:47]
What specific spiritual discipline (worship, Bible reading, prayer) do you feel you need to strengthen in your life to remain vigilant against the schemes of the wicked? How will you start this week? [53:57]
When you face moral failures or unexpected challenges, how do you typically respond? How can you better resist the enemy's attempts to condemn you and instead trust in God's promise of no condemnation? [59:14]
Think about a current messy situation in your life. How can you apply Job's example of trusting and worshiping God in the midst of your adversity? [01:02:00]
Have you ever felt envious of the seemingly prosperous wicked? How can you shift your focus to the eternal perspective that the righteous have the promise of eternal life with God? [01:08:08]
Identify one area in your life where you need to get up again after a fall. What steps will you take this week to seek God's forgiveness and move forward in faith? [58:12]
How can you encourage someone else who is struggling with a fall or a messy situation to trust in God's promise and get up again? What practical support can you offer them? [01:04:36]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Maybe you're here today and you're not a Christian or you don't really know anything about the book of Proverbs. Well, this book is really helping us to sort through those things. And look at how we can really apply those in our life to make better decisions, sound decisions as we move forward. And I would also tell you that today's message that we're going to be talking about is really about those times in our lives when we have made decisions, perhaps, or we just find ourself in the middle of a mess." [43:47] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Trusting God requires having faith in the moment, no matter how messy it is. No matter the place that you find yourself this morning. Trusting God is having faith in what he said he would do right here in this very moment. And we receive it by faith and we trust him that that will come to pass." [01:01:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You can get up out of the mess through faith in God and trusting in him. That's what God is here for. That's what he's here for you. For the righteous to lift you up again. Even though the enemy may be attacking you." [01:04:36] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God loves the wicked. God loves the people. Even though they've not made the decision to follow yet. He loves them. Look at what Romans chapter 5 verse 20 says. The law stepped in to amplify the failure. But where sin increased, grace multiplied even more. Oh, won't you enter God's grace this morning? Won't you make the decision to say yes to him today? Because the promise is for you too." [01:09:13] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The righteous may fall seven times, but still get up. The righteous may fall just because you're aware and you know all these things and you prepared. There's still times that maybe you're going to make a mistake and you're going to fall. What is this fall we're talking about? What is the fall? A fall is an event. An unexpected event. That causes us to move to a lower level." [55:35] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Our awareness of the schemes against us allows us to avoid being taken by surprise. Well, how do we build that awareness? How do we remain vigilant? It's through imploring the spiritual disciplines in our life. What are you talking about, Travis? Spiritual disciplines? I'm talking about we spend time worshiping. We spend time reading the Bible, reading the Word of God. We spend time in prayer." [53:57] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You see, we've got to get up again. How do we get up when we have this moral failure, this thing that happens? Can I tell you? The Holy Spirit comes. And the Holy Spirit will save us. He will almost immediately begin to speak to you and let you know like, oh my gosh, I just made a mistake. And when we feel that prompting of the Holy Spirit, we repent. And when we repent, God forgives us." [58:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You see, the enemy wants us to get sucked into the moment. He wants you to give up. He wants you to forget. The goodness of God. He doesn't want you to trust him. He doesn't want you to have faith in this moment. But trusting God is having faith in the moment no matter how messy it is. And he said, you talk like a foolish woman. We can't just celebrate God in the good times. But we've got to celebrate God in the bad times too." [01:03:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You see, because God's grace was multiplied beyond your mistakes. Because God's grace was multiplied and given to you. Because he showed you mercy. When you deserve punishment, he withheld it. And he gave you his unmerited favor. And his unmerited favor looks like this. Revelation chapter 21. There's not going to be any more sin. There's not going to be any more dying. There's not going to be any more crying. Not going to be any more messy places. We have a promise of a future, an eternity with him." [01:07:09] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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