When You Fall
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Psalm 37:4 NKJV
Does your pooch find grass as fascinating as Iva? She carefully sniffs each blade like a human scrolling their Facebook feed to learn what happened overnight. You might understand my impatience in the pre-dawn hours as I waited for Iva to potty, so I thought I would assist her.
I speedily headed up the embankment to her favorite place to do number two. In that moment, I broke two rules for partially sighted folks. Don’t get in a hurry, and don’t expand the doggy bathroom, even in your own backyard.
The minute my foot hit the landscape border, I realized I wasn’t where I thought I was. Not only did I fall flat on my face, but I skidded through the gravel. On my face. Thoughts of scars raced through my mind. Thoughts of someone removing tiny pebbles from my cheek rushed in as rocks fell from my skin.
I found Iva’s leash, as she tried to make it better with kisses. I instructed her to find the steps. Once inside, I called for my husband. Tears began falling as I explained, “I’m bleeding. My lip”
Timmy examined me, and assured me I wasn’t bleeding. No cuts, not even a scratch. My hands weren’t even scuffed up. My coat didn’t even have any dirt on it. I couldn’t believe it!
I had fallen, but God delivered me. His angels didn’t break the fall, but they made sure nothing broke. Not a bone. Not even the skin.
Is this how the three Hebrews felt when they emerged from the fiery furnace without a hint of smoke on them?
We all slip and fall at one point or another. Some of us take physical falls, while others fall into a pit of despair. Some fall spiritually. You allowed yourself to linger longer around the temptation. Then came the sin. The fall.
David penned this psalm after he faked madness when the philistine king captured him. Prior to that, David had deceived the priest in order to obtain food and the sword of the mighty Goliath, the giant David slew.
David had fallen into the world’s ways while running from King Saul. Lying and worldly weapons would not protect him. Only God could do that.
God delivered David out of the hand of the Philistine king and eventually from King Saul. Friend, He delivers us too. His angels encamp about us as a hedge of protection.
The Lord is our deliverer. He will deliver us from harm. He can deliver us from brokenness. And yes, when we sin, He will deliver the genuine soul.
God delivers the one addicted to drugs, alcohol, food, or gambling. He delivers the one bound by depression. He delivers us from disease. He delivers the prodigals back home. Our God is a mighty deliverer!
Trust in the Lord. You are surrounded by angels.
Copyright 2018 Carolyn Dale Newell.
Originally posted on July 23, 2020 @ 9:09 pm