By Olubunmi Adebayo
*We shall be continuing with yesterday’s Reflections on the need to be determined to rise each time one falls.*
*4) Another example is that of Naomi,the wife of Elimelech.*
*Her family relocated from Israel because of the hardship in Israel to the land of Moab (Ruth 1:1-5).*
*While in that foreign land, she lost the husband, and her two sons – Mahlon and Chilion.*
*On her return to Israel, she told everyone that came to welcome her that she left full, but God had made her return empty (Ruth 1:19-21).*
*But God was not yet done with her as she, through her daughter in law – Ruth’s marriage to Boaz became the grandmother of Obed, and the great grandmother of Jesse, the father of David.*
*5) Our final example for consideration is the man called Simon Peter the son of Jonah, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ.*
*Despite previous warnings and having been prayed for by Jesus, he denied his own master – Jesus Christ, three times. Please read the story in some detail. It makes for an interesting read :*
*Matthew 26: [69]Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.*
*[70]But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.*
*[71]And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.*
*[72]And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.*
*[73]And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.*
*[74]Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.*
*[75]And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.*
*Note that Peter repented of his betrayal and became a bold follower of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:69-75, John 21:15-19).*
*In the overall, a man may fail or fall, but he must be determined to go back to God in reconciliation, seek His face, and be ready to obey His directives. If such a man does all of the above and runs again, he will surely overcome his challenges, just like Peter did.*
*This is the whole essence of life.*
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©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
