September 7                                   Esth 8 - 10

RESTORING THE FALLEN

MEMORISE: 'for the son of man is come To save that which was lost.' (Matt 18;11)
READ: Galatians 6:1-2

Believers are in a race to heaven. At the same time they are in a battle against forces of darkness, whose main preoccupation is to derail them from their heaven- bound journey. At the side of the road are several very colorful and tempting distractions to remove their focus from the journey and distract them from their enemies, so that eventually they become easy prey- sitting targets for demonic forces.

Also in the midst of believers are some who, like Judas, have exchanged their eternal reward in heaven for an immediate temporary blessing. Such 'sold' believer become a distraction to those who are still heaven- bound, and begin to make the journey cumbersome, like king Saul chasing after little David. Worse of all is this flesh gives signal to the external forces and cooperates with them, revealing all the weaknesses of each believer and when and where these enemies should strike.

The aftermath is that several are wounded and many are fallen. Many are weak and discouraged. If left in that state for too long, they are taken over by the roadside distractions and fully occupied, they forget the race. Yet some, who are still strong and in the race, when they see these ones, begin to laugh at them and brag and beat their chests. They are strong, but fail to realize that they could be the next victims.

Dear child of God, wake up. Each brother or sister who returns to the world weakens your fight against demons. Search for the backslidden. Go and encourage them in love. Tarry in prayer and fasting for them and reclaim their souls from Satan. Each one of them you restore strengthens your position in the race. You need them, and they need you. Those already discouraged, encourage them. If they rebuff you and stay away from them for a while, do not fail to seek them again, as Jesus sought Peter and restored him. It is your duty to seek and restore those who have fallen. The Lord will give you what it takes to put them back in the race. Ask him to help you and give you wisdom.

ACTION POINT
Prayerfully search out and follow up
Two backsliders and restore them to Christ.