The fear of falling

Don’t you just love how honest God is about how He sees you? Maybe it’s not always pleasant, but one thing you can always count on with Jesus Christ is that He sees who you really are. He knows what you’re really like. He can read your mind. He can hear your heart. He knows your secret struggles, your unsanctified thoughts and actions. He knows what motivates you, what scares you, what infuriates you, what hurts you, what you’re ashamed of and you really, really regret. He understands you in a way you don’t even understand yourself. And with all of that… He loves you!! He’d die all over again if He had to, even if you were the only person He’d be able to save. And now? When you need rescue, from anything, He doesn’t care why. He heard you cry and He’s on His way to you!

[This is part 3 of an eye-opening series from Psalm 107 about four conditions of redemption God’s people experience throughout our lives and through this series you will see what you, yourself, have walked through and – I hope – your eyes will be awakened to remembrance and newness in how you praise and thank the Lord for what He has done for you!]

Your situation…

“Some were fools because of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities they are afflicted. They loathed all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death…” (Psalm 107:17-19)

The sad truth about living as the light of the world in a world overwhelmed with darkness is that we are all prone to foolish, selfish, flesh-driven choices from time to time, aren’t we? And then, when we experience the natural consequences of our bad choices, we turn on God, turn on everyone else and then turn on ourselves. What a laugh Satan has every time the people of God struggle with the flesh! Once Satan realizes he’s lost your spirit in eternity, he’ll spent the rest of your life on earth trying to tempt you to undermine your testimony. All battles are spiritual at their root, but in the natural, the primary battle is against the desires of your flesh warring against the desires in your spirit. (Galatians 5:17) And now? Does God care about what you’re going through any less just because you’re the one who brought it upon yourself? No! He still has a plan of rescue for, even from yourself!

Your redemption…

God is waiting for your invitation to recognize that, in your weakness, He can come show Himself to be your strength. “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? …Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?” NO! (Romans 8:31-39)

[Read part 2 of this series next: “Unschackled from Your Own Chains”]

“Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distress…” And what did the Lord do, knowing His people brought trouble into their own lives? Knowing they intentionally rebelled or sinned? Knowing they’ll probably do it again someday? MERCY. “For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” (Psalm 116:8) 

All battles are spiritual at their root, but in the natural, the primary battle is against the desires of your flesh warring against the desires in your spirit.

Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction.” That is JESUS CHRIST, The WORD. (John 1:1-5) He is with you always. (Matthew 28:20) He is your comfort in times of distress. (John 14:26) If you let Him, He will finish the good work He started in you. (Philippians 1:6) Jesus Christ, “sent from above, He took me and He drew me out of many waters.” (Psalm 18:16) Here’s what Jesus Christ thinks about what you did: “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22) <3

Your response…

One of the hardest things to do is to turn to the Lord when we know we have sinned or fallen short, isn’t it? Yet, He is the only One who can really help! Satan tries to convince you that it’s over, you’ve gone too far. You’ve done too much. He tries to minimize the power of God by convincing you that God has limits to how much He’s willing to fix. THAT IS NOT TRUE. Satan wants you to feel uncomfortable in God’s presence, yet God invites you to come in BOLDLY, with NO SHAME. Don’t fear falling, fall to your knees and WORSHIP HIM!! (Hebrews 4:16) Humble yourself and cry out. Remember, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

Do you need to change? Yes. Do you need to repent? Yes. Do you need to get help? Perhaps. Will it take time to heal wounds you’ve caused? Yes. Will your choices have lifelong consequences? Maybe. But JESUS CHRIST? He is with you. CRY OUT to Him. Ask for help. He has sent His Word to heal. He is capable and willing. This is a God worthy of every praise! In faith and with the power of the name of Jesus’ name (Matthew 16:19), kick aside the lies the enemy has told you (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) and run into the courts of the Lord, pushing open the gates of heaven with your praise! (Psalm 100:104) God said you could and He wants you to. You don’t have to fear the consequences of falling if you believe God will be faithful to catch you. He has rescued you!! So what are you waiting for? Run!!

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of The Way of the Worshipper on Amazon – and AVAILABLE NOW you can also purchase The Way of the Worshipper: A Devotional Workbook for deeper study, personal examination and spiritual growth!