(Psalm 68:19 ESV) 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah
I was recently having a meal in one of the local restaurants when I noticed a large group of children being seated across the room from me. The adults were interacting with them and getting them settled at the tables, taking them to the restrooms, and distributing the menus. Each child was confined to a wheel chair and required adult assistance for everything they needed to do. I watched as the adults loosened seat belts, removed the restaurant chairs so the wheel chairs would fit underneath the table, and lifted children into booster seats so they could be better positioned to eat. I couldn’t help but notice how efficient their system was as the children and adults worked together to achieve the desired result. There was a high level of trust and confidence between the caregivers and the children. It was a pleasure to observe the happiness that was evident. The restaurant had been transformed into a place of joyful laughter!
As I read the passage of Scripture in Psalm 68, I was reminded of what I had observed on that day in the restaurant. I often find myself in a place of weariness. Life has a way of confining me to situations that seemingly control or limit my mobility. Restricted by earthly difficulties, I’m unable to function effectively unless I receive assistance from someone stronger and more capable than me. Rather than struggling and fighting in a state of constant frustration, I’ve learned to work with the one who has the ability to assist me. After all, Jesus is the Lord, who daily bears us up!
I’m reminded of a song we used to sing in church…
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me
And I… I’m desperate for you
And I… I’m lost without you
I close with this final Scripture, (John 15:4-5 ESV) 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Just as those children were dependent upon their adult caregivers, so we are dependent upon the one who is our helper. Let Him bear you up today!
PRAYER: Father, I realize that I depend upon You for every single breath I breathe. Nothing I do can be done without Your assistance. So often I find myself in need of a special touch. Thank You for Your constant presence and the strength with which You “bear me up!”
Thinking Out Loud 