The LORD Upholds All Who Fall…

 

The LORD upholds all who fall,

And raises up all who are bowed down.—Psalm 145:14

My heart seems to be focused of late on God’s compassion. Today I am staying right here in these verses and thinking on the beautiful condescension of our God. He takes notice of the poor and the weak. The One whose is King and whose kingdom is an everlasting one, delights in blessing the poor and the needy. Beloved…This is His majesty! The compassion of God is in large part, the glory of God.  Jehovah lifts up all those who have fallen and raises up those who are bowed down.  This morning I am truly thankful that the Lord is my support. 

"He sent from above, He took me,

He drew me out of many waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy,

From those who hated me;

For they were too strong for me.

They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

But the LORD was my support.

He also brought me out into a broad place;

He delivered me because He delighted in me.—2 Samuel 22:17-20

When he falls, he will not be hurled down,

Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.—Psalm 37:24-25

If I say, "My foot has slipped,"

Your compassion and lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.—Psalm 94:18

"Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain; but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith]."—Luke 22:31-22

Uphold me that I may be safe,

That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.—Psalm 119:117

I am bent over and greatly bowed down;

I go about mourning all day long.—Psalm 38:6

Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become restless and disturbed within me?

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him

For the help of His presence.—Psalm 42:5

And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had an illness caused by a spirit (demon). She was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are released from your illness." Then He laid His hands on her; and immediately she stood erect again and she began glorifying and praising God.—Luke 13:11-13

His Compassions Fail Not…

 

This I recall to my mind,

Therefore I have hope.

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:21-23

Jeremiah’s unrelenting sorrow over Judah’s judgment (read the beginning of Lamentations 3) led him to think on the character of God.  One thought (this I recall to mind) seemed to push him back from despair and enabled his hope to return.  As I read Jeremiah’s words in verses 21-23, Ephesians 2:4 came to mind. 

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

It was when Jeremiah remembered who God was…when He focused on His character…that his attitude and outlook changed noticeably for the better. 

The word for “mercies” in verse 22 above is “khesed”, which has the idea of loyal love.  John MacArthur in his commentary says that this Hebrew word for mercies, refers to God’s gracious love. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. This is the same love that is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us when we believe. 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.—2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Beloved…God’s steadfast, loyal love to us, His children, never ceases. It is not dependent on who we are or how we behave.  It is who God is. He embodies this love. Ironically, Judah’s judgment itself was evidence that God had not abandoned those that were His. In judgment God always remembers mercy and preserves a faithful remnant. Israel in Scripture is often referred to as God’s son. Hebrews 12 says this. 

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

For whom the LORD loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives."

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.—Hebrews 12:5-11

Moving on to the word “compassions” in verse 22. Strong’s likens it to the cherishing of a baby in the womb. That is the gentle, tender, loyal, protective love God has for me and for you…for those who belong to Him. 

God’s supply of loyal love is not limited. We cannot push Him too far. There is no sin in your life that cannot be forgiven. His compassion is greater than any sin.  Where sin abounds, Scripture tells us, His grace abounds much more. He has promised forgiveness to those who believe. 

So even though we, as believers, deserve death as sinners, He is faithful and merciful to us. 

His compassions fail not, they are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. 

This is not a license to sin, but is an open invitation to always come to Him for forgiveness relying on His mercy through Jesus Christ. 

Beloved…Take note…This is the truth that caused Jeremiah to cease complaining and call out in praise.  The limitless love and grace of God overwhelmed Jeremiah and because of this He was able to trust and wait for God to act in his heart and in his circumstances. (See the remainder of Lamentations 3).  God would bring about restoration and blessing. His steadfast love would never come to an end. He, who is faithful, had promised.  The same is true for us as believers today. God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

Father…There is one ray of hope amidst all of the sin and suffering around me. Your compassions fail not.  I confess that I don’t always do as Jeremiah does here in Lamentations, Chapter 3.  May Your Spirit remind me of Your steadfast lovingkindness when my own hope dims and my faith falters.

Teach me Your way, O LORD;

I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.—Psalm 86:11

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.—Psalm 112:7b

Give me a steadfast, united heart that trust You in all things.  Help me to put aside my pride and depend utterly on You, my good and gracious God. When trouble comes focus my heart on things above.  May I, like Jeremiah, keep my eyes on You and not on my circumstances. Judah couldn’t push God so far that He would abandon her and neither can I. 

Thus says the LORD:

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight," says the LORD.—Jeremiah 9:23-24

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.—Psalm 63:3

A Picture of Revival in Psalm 67

 

God be gracious and kind-hearted to us and bless us,

And make His face shine [with favor] on us— Selah.

That Your way may be known on earth,

Your salvation and deliverance among all nations.

Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

For You will judge the people fairly

And guide the nations on earth. Selah.

Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

The earth has yielded its harvest [as evidence of His approval];

God, our God, blesses us.

God blesses us,

And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him—Psalm 67 AMP

As I read through this psalm this morning, I saw it as a beautiful picture of what a world-wide revival might look like. I prayed along with the psalmist as I read his inspired words…

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.  

Why?  

So that Your way may be known on earth and Your salvation among all nations. 

Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!

Why?

For You shall judge the people righteously,

And govern the nations on earth.

Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

Why?

Then the earth shall yield her increase;

God, our own God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us,

And then the last line…the icing on the cake so to speak

With awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. God WANTS to prosper us.

Beloved…How much do you want to see this happen?!!  It is not God’s will that any should perish but that all should come to eternal life in His Son. Psalm 67 opens with the psalmist praying for God’s mercy and blessings so that His saving ways might be known. God desires our praise for his righteous judgments so that we can enjoy all that He has for us.  Jeremiah 29:11-12 comes to mind here. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Oh, Father!  

Do this work here on earth.  Bring revival to each and every one of our hearts. Renew a right spirit within each of us.  May others see the salvation you have wrought in our hearts and desire it for themselves. For if God can save us, He can save them as well.  

I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined to me,

And heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.

He has put a new song in my mouth—

Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the LORD.—Psalm 40:1-3

May we in turn, by the Holy Spirit you have given us, praise You as we acknowledge Your blessings.  May we do as it says in Hebrews 13:15…continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. May the people you have sovereignly placed around us, hear it and come to you for salvation. May they also bow their hearts in beautiful worship…for all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD.—Ezekiel 11:19-21

Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"—Ezekiel 18:31-32

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."—Revelation 21:1-5

Unless the Lord Had Been My Help…

 

17 Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silence.

18 If I say, "My foot slips,"

Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.

19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.—Psalm 94:17-19

Even if the multitude of my own anxieties never go away that’s okay because I am beginning to see how they benefit me.  

I so “get” verse 17…

Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silence.

I remember when the Lord was NOT on my side. I remember when my heart was empty and my soul lost.  I remember how it felt to be truly alone and without help. I am so grateful that I will never feel that way again.

What a blessing it is now to know He is for me….to know that He is always with me…to know that whenever I am afraid, I can grab hold of my God with both hands and ask Him to take and perfect each and every one of my anxious cares.  As I do this, my pulse slows because I remember I am not the one making the decisions and I am not the one in control.  My times are in the hands of the One who planned out every one of my days for me. The eternal God has fixed every one of my steps.  My God has me surrounded with His love.  I can trust Him with each and every care because He cares for !me!  I can refocus my mind and heart on what is eternal.  My life is now hidden with Christ in God. When He appears, I will also appear with Him in glory. 

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.—Psalm 112:4

He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.—Psalm 112:7

Stand back and see the salvation of the Lord.  The Lord is our defense and He is our Rock of Refuge. The Lord is our help and in the multitude of our anxieties within His comfort delights our soul.

Besieged, Surrounded and Walled in by Grief…

 

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.

He has led me and made me walk

In darkness and not in light.—Lamentations 3:1-2

Last night I read the first 3 Chapters of Lamentations…not exactly light bedtime reading. Here is the thing though. I am sure there are people who read this passage who have not yet experienced the kind of grief that Jeremiah speaks of here.  However, when I read it, I wept.  In Jeremiah’s sorrow…in his poignant metaphors and beautifully descriptive prose…I was able to recognize and feel my own sorrow. It was a relief to know that I was not alone in my grief and that as God did for Jeremiah He could do for me, His weeping child.  

Beloved…There are times in each of our lives as children of God that He Himself leads us and makes us walk in darkness and not in light.  We are besieged, surrounded and walled in by grief. He makes our chains heavy and blocks all our paths. Go back, and read verse 2 again. 

He has led me and made me walk

In darkness and not in light.

One could read that and feel much fear and trepidation. I did not. That one verse brought me much consolation. Beloved..It was God who led me into this present darkness and if it is God who led me than He is still here with me and will bring me out, as it says in Psalm 66, into rich fulfillment. If the darkness is the place where God has led me, than this present darkness is the best place for me.  Again Psalm 66 comes to mind as David exhorts others to praise God for their trials. 

Oh, bless our God, you peoples!

And make the voice of His praise to be heard,

Who keeps our soul among the living,

And does not allow our feet to be moved.

For You, O God, have tested us;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

You brought us into the net;

You laid affliction on our backs.

You have caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.—Psalm 66:8-12

What a comfort for me to know that it is my Father in heaven who brought me here. I will surrender to Him because He loves me with an everlasting covenant love. He does not give me more than I can handle nor does He afflict His children willingly. As a father pities his children so the Lord pities me.  Truly, I can know that He has an objective view and a good end for me in all of this. (Jeremiah 29:11) For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, according to the multitude of His mercies, He will show compassion. 

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

For the help of His countenance.—Psalm 42:5

So even though this might be the saddest chapter in the whole Bible, my heart was encouraged and strengthened in seeing the footprints of this great prophet, the heart of Jesus, (a Man of Sorrow) and the legacy of the great cloud of believers (Hebrews 12:1-2) who have followed Jesus through the dark valleys of their own lives.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4

But wait there is more. Chapter 3 does not end as it begins. There is a light at the end of this tunnel.  Read with me these words of hope God placed on this suffering prophet’s heart. They are for us as well. The version below is in the Amplified.

Remember [O LORD] my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness).

My soul continually remembers them

And is bowed down within me.

But this I call to mind,

Therefore I have hope.

It is because of the LORD'S lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed,

Because His [tender] compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion and my inheritance," says my soul;

"Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him."

The LORD is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him,

To those who seek Him [on the authority of God's word].

It is good that one waits quietly

For the salvation of the LORD.—Lamentations 3:19-24

God is faithful. His compassions fail not. Whatever you might be facing, you can know without a shadow of a doubt, that as you pour out your heart in surrender to Him, His grace will be there to sustain you and to deliver you in His perfect timing. The Great I Am..the Becoming One…will become for you whatever your need might be. 

'I will go before you

And make the crooked places straight;

I will break in pieces the gates of bronze

And cut the bars of iron.

I will give you the treasures of darkness

And hidden riches of secret places,

That you may know that I, the LORD,

Who call you by your name,

Am the God of Israel.—Isaiah 45:2-3

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.—Romans 15:4-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.—2 Corinthians 1:3-7