One of today's lectionary psalms is Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21Psalm 145:14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
One of the most memorable scenes in the brutal movie, "The Passion of Christ," occurs when Jesus is carrying His Cross through the streets of Jerusalem. His mother Mary is looking at Him and, as He falls under the weight of the timbers, the scene suddenly changes and we go back in time to when Jesus is a child. Mary has just kissed Him and sends Him out to play with his friends. As Jesus runs, He falls and scrapes His knee. Mary rushes to help Him, to do the mother thing of saying, "There, there, there. It's alright." Once again, the scene suddenly shifts back to the streets of Jerusalem and Jesus is forced to stand up and carrying the Cross. Mary's eyes are full of painful tears, for this time, she cannot run to help Him, nor embrace Him.
As we go through life, we each fall from time to time. Circumstances, tragedy, or accidents may prevail against us and we find it difficult to lift up our spirits and begin again. But the promises of God are still with us, so that when we fall, Christ, who fulfilled all of God's promises, stands beside us, upholds us in the midst of our trials, and lifts us up from despair.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, whenever I fail or fall, be there beside me, ready, able and willing to support me. When my spirit is low and a shadow looms over me, be my brightness and strength, my Hope Bringer and True Savior. In Your Holy Name, I pray. Amen.
One of the most memorable scenes in the brutal movie, "The Passion of Christ," occurs when Jesus is carrying His Cross through the streets of Jerusalem. His mother Mary is looking at Him and, as He falls under the weight of the timbers, the scene suddenly changes and we go back in time to when Jesus is a child. Mary has just kissed Him and sends Him out to play with his friends. As Jesus runs, He falls and scrapes His knee. Mary rushes to help Him, to do the mother thing of saying, "There, there, there. It's alright." Once again, the scene suddenly shifts back to the streets of Jerusalem and Jesus is forced to stand up and carrying the Cross. Mary's eyes are full of painful tears, for this time, she cannot run to help Him, nor embrace Him.
As we go through life, we each fall from time to time. Circumstances, tragedy, or accidents may prevail against us and we find it difficult to lift up our spirits and begin again. But the promises of God are still with us, so that when we fall, Christ, who fulfilled all of God's promises, stands beside us, upholds us in the midst of our trials, and lifts us up from despair.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, whenever I fail or fall, be there beside me, ready, able and willing to support me. When my spirit is low and a shadow looms over me, be my brightness and strength, my Hope Bringer and True Savior. In Your Holy Name, I pray. Amen.
Stushie is the writer of the daily devotional blog, Heaven's Highway
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