In conversation the other day, someone apologized to me for tripping and stated, “I am very clumsy. I’m always stumbling.”
I could relate. Perhaps so could you.
And here’s the thing – life can be hard at times. We can stumble….
- we can lose our job & stumble into unemployment
- we can experience the breakup of our marriage & stumble into brokenness or loneliness
- we can lose a long time friend & stumble into betrayal
- we can lose control of our spending & stumble into bankruptcy
- we can find that person at work more & more attractive & stumble into infidelity
We fall. We lose our way. We never meant to but somehow, it happened.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. (Psalm 37: 23-24, NLT)
The word “stumble” in this verse means to be brought down; it denotes a violent or accidental circumstance or event, it can be at the hands of another (Old Testament Lexical Aids). A circumstance can occur in our lives and we trip, break down. But we are not left without hope.
The Lord Himself holds our hand. He holds us with hands that have power, strength, authority over our circumstances. Hands that care for us. We need not go down for the count. We have His Spirit residing in us that reaches out to us, constantly, to keep us from stumbling.
The Lord Himself Wants To Hold Our Hand.
Today I linked with Hear It, Use It and Sharing His Beauty and Playdates With God and Inspire Me Mon. and Motivation Mon. and Mommy Mon. and Making Your Home Sing and Modest Mom and Living Proverbs 31 .
Dear Joanne
This is a great message with only a few words!
Blessings XX
Mia – You have no idea how your comment on “few words” hit me. Sometimes I wonder if we should say less so that our God can speak more. Thank you for always leaving comments that are thought provoking 🙂 You are most appreciated!
I never thought of that verse like stumbling into sin or foolishness but that’s a great application! Thanks.
It really hit me when I read the verse that there are times we truly never intended to “stumble” (sin). How grateful I am for those times that He has kept me from falling & staying down. Thank you for sharing here.
Thank you for the reminder that though we stumble, we need not fall. We have stumbled into a pretty bad financial situation (just a perfect storm of bad events, all at once, really) that is testing us mightily. Really needed this reminder! Thank you!!
Elisabeth – Praying that our God will keep you through this time. May He hold your hand & lead you through, giving you the wisdom to know how to navigate through this time.
Blessings,
Joanne