Don't Stop, Keep Playing

"For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity." — Proverbs 24:16 (NKJV)

Persistence is one of the greatest marks of faith. It doesn’t demand perfection—it simply calls us to rise again, no matter how many times we fall. Paul Harvey once said, “A successful person is the one who gets back up one more time than he falls down.” Failure is never final until a person quits trying. There is a common statement, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose," but John Maxwell took that phrase, marked out the word "lose" and titled one of his books: “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn”. You don't lose unless you give up!

Success in our spiritual journey rarely comes in one dramatic moment. Instead, it’s the result of steady, faithful steps: choosing to get up, try again, and press forward even when it feels easier to quit.
 
Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that even the righteous will stumble. Falling isn’t failure—it’s part of the journey. What sets the righteous apart is their determination to rise again. God calls us to persevere, not because the road is easy, but because persistence builds our character and deepens our trust in Him.

Charles Swindoll writes, “There’s a great story about the classical pianist, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, which may or may not be true. Regardless, it helps us appreciate the Lord’s desire to accomplish His work through us. After each of the twentieth-century world wars, the great classical pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski held benefit concerts to raise money and awareness for the plight of his native Poland. One evening, the virtuoso stood in the wings, deep in thought, as the music hall filled to capacity. The gathering crowd included a mother hoping to encourage her young son’s progress at the piano. As the audience milled about, talking about politics, the two great wars, and the evening of music they would enjoy, she failed to notice that her son had slipped from her side and made his way to the piano onstage. Having mounted the bench, he began playing, note by single note 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.' The simple tune could be heard throughout the hall, prompting laughter from some and shouts of righteous indignation from others. 'Get that kid away from the piano!' one man shouted. 

"The commotion drew Paderewski from his mental preparations to see the youngster still playing. He slipped quietly across the stage and bent down behind the boy and whispered in his ear, 'Don’t stop; keep playing.' With his left hand the pianist filled in the bass, and he encircled the child with his right to play a running soprano obbligato. A sudden hush fell over the crowd as the little boy’s simple melody blended perfectly with the master’s glorious accompaniment, their impromptu duet holding the audience in rapt wonder. What a perfect picture of the Lord graciously using our meager efforts, surrounded and uplifted by His power, to create something beautiful!”[1]
   
Psalm 37:23-24 offers us this encouragement: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” When you feel like giving up, remember—God is holding you. He delights in your persistence. He sees every step you take in faith, even when you don’t feel like it.

Sometimes you just need to do it when you feel like it, do it when you don't feel like it. There are times when you're going to wake up and you're going to say, "I’m not sure if I’m excited about this today." When the road feels long, when fatigue sets in, or when the results seem invisible, hear the whisper of your heavenly Father: “Don’t stop; keep playing.” Rise again. Keep trusting. He is creating something beautiful through your persistence.

Reflection Question: What area of your life feels like a simple melody right now? How can you trust God to turn your persistence into something beautiful for His glory?

Father, thank you for Your faithfulness to me, even when I feel weak or inadequate. Help me to trust that You are working through my persistence, even when I can’t see the results. Encourage my heart to rise again every time I fall, and remind me that You are creating something beautiful with my life. Strengthen me to press on in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Adapted from: "God's Answer for Discouragement": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/zmvsph4/8-god-s-answer-for-discouragement

[1] Charles Swindoll, “Illustrating So People Will Listen,” https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/161311-charles-swindoll-illustrating-so-people-will-listen.html/3.