Transcript of Midweek Meditations podcast episode aired on Wednesday, 3rd August 2020.
Friend, how are you feeling right now? Are you weary and worn out from this present season? The constant uncertainty of the pandemic? Is your faith tired and worn by the lack of Christian encouragement and fellowship with God’s people? Maybe you find yourself doubting your faith, doubting God, doubting his goodness. Friend, you’re not alone.
Yet, as we meditate on God’s word, let’s remind ourselves of the kind of God we worship. Hear the words of Psalm 145:14—
The LORD upholds all who fall
Psalm 145:14 (NIV)
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Our God is a compassionate God. He is a gracious God. He is a merciful God. Whatever you’re feeling today, will you remember that our Lord God upholds all who fall, and he lifts up all who are bowed down.
God sustains you. He holds you up when you’re tired and weary. You can lean on God, rely on him, be confident in him to give you strength and refresh you. It’s like leaning against a wall when you’re tired or lose your step, a walking stick when your legs are weak, or a comforting embrace with a loved one when you’re weary from it all.
Just the other day, my youngest son, Matthias was wriggling around in my arms. He loves trying to climb all over me, but this particular day, he was SO wriggly! Then, this wriggly little toddler seemingly jumps out of my arms. My reflexes caught him midair before he landed on the ground. Phew!
God is always with us, ready to catch up when we fall. Right here, right now, God is with you. Will you lean into him? Rely on him? How do you do that? All you need to do is ask. Ask him in prayer to sustain you and uphold you today. Ask him now.
How does God do this? Any number of ways, but let me try and articulate a few. Firstly, he gives us Jesus. In Jesus, God demonstrates the extent of his desire to uphold us and lift us in our moment of greatest need. Jesus not only dies on the Cross for our sins, but he rose from the dead to demonstrate his power over life and death. In Jesus, we not only see the love of God, but the power of God.
Secondly, he gives us the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit, we have an advocate and a helper. God gives his Spirit to be present with us so that we might know we’re never alone. The Spirit teaches and reminds us of all things. In the Spirit, we can experience the peace and comfort of God through our day.
Lastly, he gives us the promise of heaven. The promise of heaven is God’s promise that there is more to life than our lives on earth. The promise of heaven is a promise of a better life. How does that gives us hope for today? The promise of heaven reminds us God isn’t satisfied with our earthly experience of life. Therefore, we can be confident our God will uphold and lift us from the mire of life until our place in heaven is ready (John 14:2-3).
Whatever you’re experiencing or feeling today, I hope and pray you will know the presence of God. May you know his sustaining grace and power today. May you find refreshment and strength by the Holy Spirit who is with us until the very end of time. May you know that you’re never alone. May you be confident to know God is with you. Let’s pray.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you that you’re near and not far off. Thank you that you’re with us no matter what comes to us in this life. Thank you that you’ve promised to be present with us always.
Yet, there are times when we’re weak and weary. Right now, I pray for my brothers and sisters who need a greater awareness of your presence with them. They’re tired and weary, for different reasons, but we ask you will meet with them. Will you uphold and lift them up in this moment of need.
Lord Jesus, we thank you that you’re our great high priest who is able to empathise with our weakness. You were tempted in every way, just as we are, yet you did not sin. You overcame sin and death through your death on the Cross.
Ever present Holy Spirit, remind and teach us afresh the promises of God. Remind us of your presence with us, teach us the truths of God’s Word, and refresh and strengthen us for today. Thank you for your ongoing work of grace in us.
These things we pray to the glory of our God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
