“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psa. 94:18-19)

Every day I reminded of my humanity and the fact that I can and will make mistakes.
As the Bible reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)

In the biblical sense, when our “foot slips”, we are falling back into desires of the flesh, or sin. Unfortunately, the pull of our flesh is strong, and as Paul writes we are urged to therefore “put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5) In addition, pride, anger, hate, envy, jealousy, gossip, slander, etc. are aggravating sins that many Christians too often struggle with. Yet when we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ because of His sacrifice for us on the cross, His love covers a multitude of sins! (1 Pet. 4:8)

Does that mean we are to cheapen grace and take advantage of it by continually falling into sin? Absolutely not! We must confess, repent, and move forward, and when we do, we can walk in confidence knowing that in the times our foot slips, God’s unfailing love will uphold us.

Anxiety and worry is another thing that many Christians deal with. Money, job security, safety, comfort, relationships, health… trials in any of these areas can attack the weakness of our minds and hearts. Yet when worry starts to creep in, if we are faithful to give the burden to Him, God consoles us and exchanges anxiety for joy (v19)! How awesome is that?!

Reading through Psalm 94 today, I am reminded of Paul’s words to the church in Philippi:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

Don’t let the guilt and shame from your mistakes (past or present), nor anxiety or worry from your circumstances today, separate you from the joy of the Lord, for “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9)

He has so much more for us, and does not want us to dwell in the darkness. Praise God for His grace and mercy! Thank you Jesus!!

[From November 2, 2018]