I’ve Fallen, But I Can Get Up
This morning I attend the Men’s breakfast at Timberline Church. Actually the men were helping hosting a community wide gathering on Human Sex Trafficking. Several organizations were present to share what they were doing to fight against this societal tragedy. It was good to see my friend Vicki Proffit who now is the Director Sarah’s Home.
With the cooperative weather, I am hoping to get the landscaping project I have been working on completed this weekend. Some dirt arrived to fill in around the foundation and I rented some equipment to see if we can make modification to our slope around two sides of the house that have been the source of some water problems.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Israel says, “I will look to the Lord for help. I will wait for God to save me; my God will hear me. Enemy, don’t laugh at me. I have fallen, but I will get up again. I sit in the shadow of trouble now, but the Lord will be a light for me.” Micah 7:7,8 NCV
A commercial for an emergency call system for seniors has an elderly women crying out, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” I actually now what that is like; and it is no fun! Before leaving the rehab hospital Debbie and I worked with my physical therapist on “fall recovery.” Because of my complete weakness, it proved to be a challenge and we needed a system and strategy in place for when that happened.
While falling without the ability to get yourself up is a feeling of desperation; falling and being able to get up brings confidence and hope. That is what describes the spiritual condition of God’s people as the Book of Micah comes to an close. Throughout the book the prophet provides words of hope and restoration after judgment, but now these words come from the perspective of God’s people, “I will look to the Lord for help. I will wait for God to save me….”
The Lord speaks through Micah and declares that there will be extreme famine and time of trial. The Lord addresses the sins of dishonesty and self-centeredness and says, “don’t even trust members of your own family.” The people are confused about what the Lord wants and the Lord let’s them know that more than sacrifice or ritual He wants them to, “do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God.” (Micah 6:8 NCV)
The people seem to finally understand their “fallen” condition. But through the words of the prophet they understand that they can and will “get up.” But here is the process for this “fall recovery.”
“I will look to the Lord for help.” That may sound basic, but remember these people worshiped, gave credit to and sought the advice of idols and false gods and prophets for generations. Understanding that God is for them and is their source of help is a significant revelation and commitment.
“I will wait for God to save me.” Patience is an important spiritual discipline. In our quick fix, microwave, instant gratification world, waiting is not in our DNA. Waiting is a sign of submission. It is not giving God an ultimatum; “If you don’t come through this week…I’m seeking other help.” Waiting on God to save, shows you understand that God is the true source of help and that He knows what is best and we rest in that.
“God will hear me.” Do you have doubts that God is listening to your prayers…that He is aware of your situation and needs? Do you feel that you have alienated yourself from God to the point He has “given up” on you? If anyone could feel that way, it was God’s people in their sinful condition. But they realized that God does hear the prayers of His people. John writes to Christians and reminds them, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NIV)
“The Lord will be a light for me.” Even if I am in darkness now, I know the Lord will be a light to lead me out of darkness. Basically this is the concept that, “what I am experiencing now, is not the way it will always be.” That is why we see the words addressed to the enemies of God’s people, “don’t laugh, I have fallen, but I will get up again.” At times it is easy for us and for those who oppose us to feel that our downfall is final. But that is not the case when we call on the Lord and wait for Him to act on our behalf.
With this resolve and confidence in God, we find the final words of Micah are filled with hope and faith in the Lord’s mercy and faithfulness.
“There is no God like you. You forgive those who are guilty of sin; you don’t look at the sins of your people who are left alive. You will not stay angry forever, because you enjoy being kind. You will have mercy on us again; you will conquer our sins. You will throw away all our sins into the deepest part of the sea.” (Micah 7:18,19 NCV)
These verses communicate the heart and character of God. Remember who He is and what He alone can do for you. Remember, “If you fall, you will get up” if you call on the Lord and wait for Him to act lead you forward in life.