By Tim Ehrhardt
Psalm 37:
23 Our steps are made firm by the Lord,
when he delights in our way;
24 though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand.
My wife and I raised our girls in West Michigan. One of our favorite things to do in the summer months was to spend as much time on the beaches of Lake Michigan as we could. The sand was wonderful, and I built my share of castles and animals with my girls. When we would finally leave after a day at the beach, it sometimes meant traversing up a dune or on some slippery steps. I was typically the pack-daddy, so it was no easy feat getting up those stairs to the parking lot. I, more than once, slipped and dropped all the gear I was carrying. I wasn’t the only one, either. I saw other dads in similar predicaments utter divine expletives upon stumbling and falling.
Our view of God matters. If we see God as primarily punitive, looking to put heavy loads on us and cause us to slip when we get out of line, then guilt and shame will likely dominate our thoughts. Yet, if we see God as gracious, merciful, kind, and good—all the time—thoughts of security and peace will likely be our default mode. It is inevitable that we will stumble and fall. The real issue is how we discern the divine in such situations.
The psalmist gives us a view of God as the one who delights in us, has us by the hand, has our backs when we stumble or mess up, and is our source of firm support in difficult times. This is a vision of God who willingly receives our confession, extends forgiveness, and provides what we need.
Prayer: God of all the ages, you have revealed your grace in our savior, Jesus Christ. As we wait patiently on your mercies, strengthen our steps to live in your justice, so that with our hands held firmly by you, we may hear and accomplish your will, through Christ, who lights the way to life everlasting. Amen.