Jeremiah 8:4-6

4 “Moreover you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD:
“Will they fall and not rise?
Will one turn away and not return?
5 Why has this people slidden back,
Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding?
They hold fast to deceit,
They refuse to return.
6 I listened and heard,
But they do not speak aright.
No man repented of his wickedness,
Saying, ‘What have I done?’
Everyone turned to his own course,
As the horse rushes into the battle.
Jeremiah 8:4-6 NKJV

God's people have fallen, but they do not try to get up. They have turned away from God, but they do not try to turn back to Him. God asks why they are in a perpetual backsliding. The lies that the people want to believe, they hold fast to. They choose to stay away from God, refusing the call of the Lord to come to Him and be healed. God says He listens, but they do not speak rightly. They do not repent of their sins and wickedness, but each continues on his own course, letting nothing stop them as they rush to their destruction. God continuously warns them and calls them, and He likewise calls me and warns me. When I stubbornly hold onto my sin, I am also like the horse rushing to battle. My fate is certain unless I return and repent and follow the way the Lord sets before me. I cannot hold onto my sin and have the relationship with God that will allow me to accept the gifts that Jesus wants to give me. I cannot turn my back on Him and walk with Him. When I fall, I need to get up. Like the young one learning to walk, I have to struggle to my feet when I find I have lost my balance and fallen. If I am content to lay on the ground, I will never be able to walk or run. I have to get up. It is the same in my spiritual life. When I fall, I have to get up. I can put my hand in the hand of Jesus and steady myself as I walk along with Him, using His strength to balance myself as temptations and trials push and buffet me. When I think I am strong and let go of His hand, I fall. Jesus holds His hand down towards me. He will not force me to take His hand, but His voice encourages me. If I like being on the ground or if I get discouraged and refuse His help, I struggle to get up, but I fail. When I take His hand again in mine and use His strength, I struggle and pull and I am on my feet again. I am growing and getting stronger. I learn to walk and perhaps I learn to run. Yet I always need to hold your hand, for the winds of temptation are strong and the obstacles in my path seem to be many. I seem to be continuously wanting to go my own way, and end up falling or being knocked down. Jesus is always there, hand held towards me and with an encouraging word for me. I take His hand and I can stand again and once more walk with Him.

Lord,
Help me today to take Your hand and struggle to my feet whenever I fall. I am weak and unsteady. I need You to be with me so I can hold onto you. Help me to accept Your forgiveness and help me to not allow discouragement to cause me to stay down and not try to get up. You promise me growth when I trust in You to walk with You. Help me today to walk with You as You lead me in the paths before me. Help me to allow Your peace to come into my heart and drive away the discouragement. I can stand with You, help me to hold onto You.