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Tuesday, October 4, 2005

"Falling Down… And Getting Up"

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in His way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand" (Psalm 37:23 & 24).

Brooksyne fallsWe have a single step between our dining room and kitchen. Brooksyne stumbled on this step and though not hurt, was very embarrassed. We had a great family laugh at seeing her lying on the kitchen floor, her face red as she laughed uncontrollably, while I snapped the photo. Of course I sure enjoyed helping her back up on her feet!


Have you ever fallen?  Of course you have!  You did so a lot when you were learning to walk.  Just ask your parents.  You've all very likely also fallen a few times after being full-grown and how embarrassing that is!  Some of us will remember the low budget ad from the early eighties with the memorable line, "I've fallen and I can't get up."

We've also fallen spiritually; all of us.  The Apostle James says, "We all stumble in many ways" (3:2).  Sometimes we fall "big time", but more commonly in the "small ways". The seasoned Christian pilgrim recognizes spiritual bruises from plummeting falls.  The persevering believer has a testimony of overcoming falls. 

I liken my Christian journey to hiking through the heavily wooded forest.  Because of the uneven terrain, the extensive tree roots, rocks and underused trails, I often stumble and might even occasionally fall.  I can linger in a fallen position or I can choose to get up, brush off the debris, and trudge on. And when I'm unaware of what made me fall I need to examine the terrain and see what obstacle I stumbled over. That's a good lesson for the Christian life.

In the latter part of the daily text the Psalmist acknowledges that the godly man falls, but gives us two great promises. 
  1. "He shall not be utterly cast down."  Thank God that we have no excuse for staying down after we fall.  God has promised that we will not "be utterly cast down."
  2. "The Lord upholdeth him with His hand."  Grip hold of that truth today, believing friend. The immutable God continues to uphold His children. What an assuring promise.
Have you goofed up, messed up, or even blown it big time?  Perhaps this is even your condition as you read this today. Call on the Name of the Mighty God of the universe.  He will come and save you.  We simply have no reason for saying, "I've fallen, and I can't get up."

Faithful One, so unchanging,
Ageless One, You're my Rock of peace.
Lord of all I depend on You;
I call out to You again and again.

You are my Rock in times of trouble.
You lift me up when I fall down.
All through the storm Your love is the anchor;
My hope is in You alone. *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Note from Brooksyne:  Somehow I knew when Stephen went running in the opposite direction, after seeing that I wasn't hurt, he would get a photo.  And somehow I knew it would make for a story in the Daily Encouragement.  Hope it brings a smile to your face and eases your embarrassing moments in similar situations. (SCW note - That's all the bigger she let me post the photo.)

Brooksyne's prayer – Jesus, it is when we unexpectedly find ourselves in a fallen position that we feel pretty foolish and somewhat helpless. We usually bounce right back to an upward position.  But there are times, Lord, when we get trapped in a fallen position and need assistance from another to help us walk upright again.  When we're in a fallen position spiritually, Lord, it is Your hand that we reach for.  You uphold us with Your hand because You are the changeless, faithful One who sees our fall before we even know it will happen.  You do not abandon us nor cast us down but You only want to lift us up again.  Our hope is in You alone so help us to cling tightly to Your hand as we walk the potholed terrain of this life.  In Your name, we pray.  Amen.

As Brooksyne and I completed this message today we prayed for those who would read it. May you know the living hope we have in Christ and have a deep assurance of His steadfast love and care.



* "Faithful One" Brian Doerksen © 1989 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services) CCLI License No. 2005306 
Here's an audio of this song I found. It is from a live worship service at the Willingdon Church in British Columbia, Canada and includes an altar call. As I listen to it I sure would like to have been there!
 
This church has a very content-filled website site with lots of spiritual resources. Here is a list of worship songs they recorded in their church during their worship services.

As we prepared this message Brooksyne also recalled another song that goes with this titled "He Will Come And Save You."  Here's an audio sample of this song.

Finally let me share one more song, actually an old hymn, that has blessed me immensely this morning as I prepared this message. It is also from the live worship at the above mentioned Canadian church.  Many of you know it well. "A Wonderful Savior"

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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