Get Up!
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24.16
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24.16
We find in our lives, as we follow our Savior, many sweet and precious promises. One of the most comforting is that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13.5) We also know that our Savior left the Comforter as our indwelling Spirit of God who guides us into truth (John 16.13), which is the Truth that sets us free. (John 8.32) – Free from the bondage of living a life filled with error and misunderstanding.
The statement “the truth will make you free” is often taken as referring to truth in the philosophical (or absolute) sense, or in the intellectual sense, or even (as the Jews apparently took it) in the political sense. In the context of John’s Gospel (particularly in light of the prologue) this must refer to truth about the person and work of Jesus. It is saving truth. As Leon Morris says, “it is the truth which saves men from the darkness of sin, not that which saves them from the darkness of error (though there is a sense in which the followers of Christ are delivered from gross error).” (Morris)
Such marvelous and precious promises are often beyond our understanding, yet, these promises shout the refrain: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14.1) And, John captures Jesus’ powerful declaration: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8.12) This wasn’t just a metaphor – it was a promise of transformation and hope that holds true even in our darkest moments.
Unfortunately, as we meander through this world of difficulties, we tend to trip and stumble – sometimes over our own misconceptions and misinterpretations, but also, sometimes over the traps and snares so masterfully set by the believer’s great enemy – the Accuser and Slanderer of the saints. We are too often side-tracked and knocked down as we forget that the victory need not be something to look forward to – it is something to look at now.
Recently one of our dear church members met his Savior face-to-face. As the time of his departure drew near, his sweet daughter wrote a statement to be posted for all to see. The event was something they had been planning for and awaiting in God’s timing. Cancer and dementia were affecting his manner of living. Some days he would be more physically active and lucid than others; however, he never stayed down. When he breathed his last, some suggested that he had lost his battle with cancer. I disagree. While still here in this life we labor and fight – get knocked down only to feel the urgency to get back up and go at it again. We struggle on our own to win a battle that has already been won. (I John 4.4)
Thinking of others, they wanted no memorial service because of how far some would have to travel to pay their respects (since he had ministered to many in several different places). They wanted no “meals” because they had sufficient. All they wanted was some time alone to reflect and remember. The battle was realized – our dear brother had been knocked down for the last time. Having been knocked down this time, he found himself being lifted up and standing before the Great King of kings.
The statement “the truth will make you free” is often taken as referring to truth in the philosophical (or absolute) sense, or in the intellectual sense, or even (as the Jews apparently took it) in the political sense. In the context of John’s Gospel (particularly in light of the prologue) this must refer to truth about the person and work of Jesus. It is saving truth. As Leon Morris says, “it is the truth which saves men from the darkness of sin, not that which saves them from the darkness of error (though there is a sense in which the followers of Christ are delivered from gross error).” (Morris)
Such marvelous and precious promises are often beyond our understanding, yet, these promises shout the refrain: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14.1) And, John captures Jesus’ powerful declaration: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8.12) This wasn’t just a metaphor – it was a promise of transformation and hope that holds true even in our darkest moments.
Unfortunately, as we meander through this world of difficulties, we tend to trip and stumble – sometimes over our own misconceptions and misinterpretations, but also, sometimes over the traps and snares so masterfully set by the believer’s great enemy – the Accuser and Slanderer of the saints. We are too often side-tracked and knocked down as we forget that the victory need not be something to look forward to – it is something to look at now.
Recently one of our dear church members met his Savior face-to-face. As the time of his departure drew near, his sweet daughter wrote a statement to be posted for all to see. The event was something they had been planning for and awaiting in God’s timing. Cancer and dementia were affecting his manner of living. Some days he would be more physically active and lucid than others; however, he never stayed down. When he breathed his last, some suggested that he had lost his battle with cancer. I disagree. While still here in this life we labor and fight – get knocked down only to feel the urgency to get back up and go at it again. We struggle on our own to win a battle that has already been won. (I John 4.4)
Thinking of others, they wanted no memorial service because of how far some would have to travel to pay their respects (since he had ministered to many in several different places). They wanted no “meals” because they had sufficient. All they wanted was some time alone to reflect and remember. The battle was realized – our dear brother had been knocked down for the last time. Having been knocked down this time, he found himself being lifted up and standing before the Great King of kings.
When I Wake Up to Sleep No More
by The Booth Brothers
“What a glad thought some wonderful morning
I should hear Gabriel’s trumpet sound
When I wake up (when I wake up)
To sleep no more.
“Rising to meet my blessed Redeemer
With a glad shout I’ll leave the ground
When I wake up (when I wake up)
To sleep no more.”
by The Booth Brothers
“What a glad thought some wonderful morning
I should hear Gabriel’s trumpet sound
When I wake up (when I wake up)
To sleep no more.
“Rising to meet my blessed Redeemer
With a glad shout I’ll leave the ground
When I wake up (when I wake up)
To sleep no more.”
Copyright © 2026 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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