WHEN I FALL Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.
The test of Christian character is written on the pages of failure.
Proverbs 24: 15-16 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his resting place; 16. for a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. Note that Micah did not say, “If I fall.” He said, “When I fall.” Failure is inevitable. Recovery is a choice When you fall you will learn the truth of your friends and the identity of your enemies. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Galatians 5:17 For the flesh wars against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. The enemy’s joy angers God. Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Three components of rising from failure: Truth Micah 7:9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me; He will bring me forth to the light, and I will see His righteousness. Luke 15:17 "But when he came to himself, he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Often, the difficulty with your failure is that it taught you nothing about you. Determination Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Jacob was a man who understood failure. Genesis 32: 24-28 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks.'' But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!'' 27. So He said to him, "What is your name?'' And he said, "Jacob.'' 28. And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.'' Illustration: I’m still standing here. Grace Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Psalms 139: 8-10 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10. Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. Illustration: The bottom is solid! The test of a church’s character is not levied in times of prosperity. The test of a church’s character is on the backside of failure. Our church’s character is only exposed during times of adversity when the fate of our calling walks along the edge of knife and our faith is tested to its’ breaking point. In these times we will learn who our enemy’s are by the piercing sounds of their joy. But, the Lord has promise that he would prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Our church must possess three characteristics if we are to press forward. Today we covenant with heaven and we serve hell notice that the Monroe Church of God will rise again. | 
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