Prayer and Proverbs - Day 24 of 31

Read Proverbs 24.

“for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16 ESV)

In Mark Ruffalo/Kiera Knightley's Begin Again, the title clearly explains what each character in the movie has the opportunity to do. No matter one's past failings or the wounds caused by another, one can begin again.

This is most certain in lives found in Jesus. In Jesus we were made new...to begin again. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

How deep is Jesus' forgiveness? How many opportunities does He give us to begin again? He explains to Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV): “Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

God has even blessed us with the great gift of the Lord's supper. In this sacrament we are given “begin again” opportunities each week at worship as the body and blood of Jesus toss our sins away.

No matter what stumblings or hurts happened yesterday...or a week ago...or a year ago...or longer, today is the day to begin again. Why not start in prayer?