Every 21st of the month, until his first March birthday, Emma sent a few pictures of baby Wilkes, showing his growth. Kinsey has followed the same path, sending monthly pictures of Owen on the 26th of each month, anticipating a big birthday in June.
A few days ago, between the first picture and the last, the baby took a tumble. Thankfully, Jordan’s strong hands saved the day.
“The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:14)
What would we do without the Father who rescues His children? What hope would the wandering sheep have if there were no Good Shepherd to search and save?
Of course, God does not encourage us to wander. I remember as a boy walking off the trail on a Fall day to get a better look at a river. Before I knew it, my feet had slipped and I was sliding down a steep slope into the cold Chickamauga.
God gives His children encouragement to walk boldly in the Spirit, but to avoid sin. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love… So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:13,16)
Let’s give thanks to the One who can keep us from falling.
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’ These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
“Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” Jude 17-25