Steadfast righteousness leads to life, but pursuing evil ends in death. Proverbs 11:19, TLV

What About the Stumbles?   One of the most difficult feats for humanity is the steadfast heart. To maintain a purposed, disciplined life is no easy task. Each day we must make choices. Honestly, leading a steadfast, righteous life may seem impossible.

That’s because we may be looking at steadfastness in the wrong way.

Steadfast can be defined as: firm in belief, determination, or adherence.

We’re firm in our belief. We’re determined to follow after righteousness. It’s that sense of “adherence” that we should examine.

We’re not perfect . . .

Have you achieved perfection yet? I sure haven’t. For most of us we struggle with:

• thinking we’re going in the right direction with a decision, but it’s not.
• losing our temper and acting out in foolish or hurtful ways.
• being lazy with our ethics — with what the Bible says about integrity and morality.

Will our Heavenly Father rain down judgment on us and cut us off when we mess up? I don’t believe that. I do believe we’re accountable and may have to make restitution, but ultimately He longs to bring us back to Him.

He knows what we’re made of. He knows we’re dust. Psalm 103:14, TLV

So, what do we do when we stumble? We pick ourselves up, repent, learn from our failure, then move on. That’s the steadfastness. It’s the picking ourselves up again and again.

For some of us, stumbling happens a lot. But in our Father’s eyes, it’s our effort to remain steadfast, not perfection that pleases Him. His Son already achieved perfection on our behalf.

How I wish I could avoid the stumbles of life. They can be heartbreaking and embarrassing, right? But, it’s in those stumbles that we can learn. Mature. If we take the time to let our Father show us our sins and our mistakes. Even more important, remember that He will help us up.

Keep at It

We keep at it, don’t we? We do it because we love Him. We’re grateful for all He’s done for us — for His incredible patience as we learn. So, let’s keep on keeping on.

Think More About It

What do you think about steadfastness? Stumbling? How does that affect your peace?

Until tomorrow–LORD willing–may we remain steadfast even when we stumble, my friends.

Praying for Israel

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:12, TLV

Shall we pray for ourselves as well as those in Israel? Amen. God bless you!