It never fails to inspire me how many people have found my devotional book Daily Prayer and its sequel Daily Prayer 2 to be of encouragement, help and inspiration. The number of letters and messages I’ve received thanking me for these is truly humbling, and they inspire me, in turn, in my continued writing. Here’s a session from Daily Prayer 2 that I hope may speak to you.
Down to earth with a bump?
Read
The Lord himself helps all whose way is pleasing to him to take firm steps. Although they may falter, they will not fall, for the Lord’s hand will keep hold of them. Jeremiah 10:23
Ponder
For any would-be toddler, as every parent will know, learning to walk is a bruising experience. I was reminded of that the other day when friends came to visit with their little boy who was just progressing from the crawling stage. He was rapidly gaining confidence but had a long way to go, a few faltering steps invariably coming to an abrupt end as he fell heavily on his bottom, thankfully well padded by a nappy. He’d master the art soon enough, of course, helped no doubt by his doting and delighted parents, but even when children finally find their feet they still take their fair share of tumbles. It’s all part of growing up.
We may learn not to fall over as we get older, but life nonetheless has a nasty habit of bringing us down to earth with a bump. One moment everything may be going along swimmingly, only for the ground to be taken from under us the next. Perhaps it’s the break-up of a relationship, perhaps the onset of an illness, the loss of a job or the death of a loved one. Whatever it is, we can be left reeling, struggling to find our feet again.
How do we reconcile this with the words of Jeremiah? Doesn’t God promise he will not let us fall? Certainly. But what he means, I think, is that we will not be brought low irrevocably. The fact is that even the most devoted of believers can fall as far and hard as the next person. What God pledges, though, is that, when that happens, he will be there to pick us up and set us on our feet once more. Not even death itself will be able to come between us and his love. We may be brought down to earth, but we won’t stay fallen for long, for our help comes from beyond. Whatever we face, God’s strength is sufficient to see us through.
Ask yourself
What falls have you had in life? In what ways did God help you through? Is your faith able to meet with trouble and still stand firm?
Pray
Father God, when life trips me up, be there to set me on my feet again. When I face trouble and disappointment – my hopes crushed, confidence undermined and happiness destroyed by changing fortunes – be there to pick me up. Teach me that though I may stumble and fall, you will support and strengthen, faithfully seeing me through, and no trial or tribulation will be able to separate me from your love in Christ. Renew then my faith, my trust, my hope and my joy, whatever life may bring. Amen.
Remember
Place all your troubles on the Lord, for he will help you to keep going; he will not allow those who honour him to fall. Psalm 55:22
Close
Lord, I entrust all to you: my joys and sorrows, hopes and fears; the good and bad, rough and smooth of life. Come what may, help me to walk with you, knowing that you will be there by my side. Amen.