29th January 2024
God is my Rock
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
Psalm 94:18 (NIV)
It is hard to walk on frozen ground as it is thawing. There is just a thin layer on top of mud and the ground below remains frozen; it is a slippery mess. If you are not careful it is easy to fall because your feet will slip right out from under you. In the process of trying to walk on slippery mud, you also make a big mess of the ground and your shoes. The psalmist in Psalm 94 is under great distress because of the senseless actions of others against him and his people. He knows God sees all that is happening, and in his righteousness will come to their aid. He realises that this may take some time, but he trusts in God’s righteous judgment. He has seen God’s righteous love in his life. God has given him the support he needs to stand and not fall. As our feet begin to slip out from under us, we call out to our God who hears us.
I have fallen hard physically, and I can say the same spiritually, but every time I have fallen, it is God who lifts me up. Sometimes I slip and slide like on that muddy ground, but it is God’s hands that keep me up, his voice that warns me to be careful. I am far from perfect; I will admit that. I pray my imperfections will not harm anyone else, and I apologise for this if this has happened. It was never my intention. We all are fallible; we all need God’s grace. We are all in the process of refinement. Sometimes this refinement hurts a little, but the process brings out the beauty from under the dross as the dross is removed. I need that refinement; I need that helping hand of God. Psalm 121 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord. He will not let us slip beyond his grasp; he watches over us. God is diligent in his care for us. The psalm tells us he watches over our life now and forever.
Yet, we are told that in this life we will have troubles in John 16:33. And Jesus continues to tell us that he has overcome the world. This is why I said that God will not let us slip beyond his grasp. We bring on our troubles, and sometimes we are overwhelmed by the actions of others or just circumstances beyond our ability to withstand. I have had those times in my life when God had to intervene because my footing was slipping. How about you? Can you remember times when God stepped in and pulled you up or held your hand? Nothing can separate us from God’s hands (Romans 8:37-39). Nothing can separate us from God’s love. How thoroughly comforting this is.
In one of these troubling times, I had given up the desire to live. I had a dream, or vision, or visitation; what it was I cannot tell you for I do not know myself; but in this event, I found myself in a white mist and I was in total peace. I assumed I had died, and I was good with that. But a voice came out of the mist and said, ‘She has more to do.’ I found myself back where I was, but now life had meaning. I knew God had heard me, God was with me, and God did care for me, and he cared for others more than I could do for them. When we begin to slip, God is ready to reach out and take our hand, he is always nearby, always interested in our welfare. His unfailing love will support us.
Prayer
God you are my fortress, you are my rock on which I stand. Keep our feet from slipping and keep us near your side. We praise your glorious name, through Jesus Christ our Lord,. Amen.
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
Local congregation:
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