2026 Pentecost Devotions I
Thursday, July 30
Psalm 145:14-21
The Lord is faithful in all his words
and gracious in all his deeds.
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways
and kind in all his doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
“… 14 The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. …”
When I was about eight, I was climbing one of the flowering cherry trees on the grounds of the Presbyterian church behind our house. I had shinnied out on a limb about six feet above the ground. Suddenly, the branch broke. Since I was hanging from it, I fell squarely on my back, knocking the wind out of me. Otherwise unhurt, I couldn’t get my breath for what seemed like forever. It was the longest time before I dared to shinny out on another branch.
Sometime in life, we fall. It may happen because of trauma, tragedy, or brokenness in our lives. A catastrophic event at work or in the family, a sudden death or severe injury, or the rupture of a long-established relationship may be the cause. Suddenly, often without warning, things break apart and we find ourselves falling – out of control, unable to breathe.
Thankfully, God promises to be there in the midst of the fall. It’s not that the landing isn’t difficult or painful. Trauma, tragedy, and brokenness are often injurious. However, the Lord promises to be there, not necessarily to catch you but to heal you – to help raise you up – empower and encourage your recovery. God promises that whatever the cause of your falling, you are loved and that God will be present to breathe into you new life.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the promise of Your presence in our lives when we seem to be falling. By Your love and grace, raise me when I’m down and breathe into me Your new life. Amen.