Falling Back

As I think about falling back, the meaning that readily comes to mind is that this first Sunday of November most of the U. S. except Arizona, Hawaii and Navajo tribes will fall back to Standard time. It is a time the working class anticipates as they relish that extra hour of sleep. Although, as a Christian, our weak flesh has been caught up in temptations and I hear falling back as drifting backwards on promises made to remove harmful practices in my life. What comes to my mind is falling back into tempting habits once put away.

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

We are imperfect. As much as we want to do right, live right and exercise a Christian example to others, our flesh is weak. In times of weakness, an old habit once put away, tempts me and I allow it back in my life. Today, as much as I regret yesterday, it is a blessing to know that I worship a merciful, forgiving God. A God who will pick me up when I fall back and hold me closer today. As we fall back, let us pray:

(Matthew 6:9-15)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[a]
   but deliver us from the evil one.^[b]’    ¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.