I recently slipped and fell outside in the snow, landing on the hard, frozen ground. I fractured my tailbone, and it really hurts. Because of this, I need time to heal. I have to be extra careful, so I cannot do everything I usually do.
As I lay there, looking up at the ceiling and reflecting, I decided to read Psalm 139—one of my favorites. While thinking about my fall, I also considered how we all experience spiritual falls or become overtaken by faults.
Before I walked outside and fell, God knew. God knew before we sinned or experienced a spiritual fall. In spite of this, He cares about us, loves us, and wants us to heal so we can get back up and run our race.
The psalm begins like this: O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. (verses 1–6)
Incredibly, the Lord knows everything about me, yet He still loves me. He knew when I walked outside that I was going to fall and get hurt. He was—and is—with me.
I began thinking of all the people my husband, David, and I have been in contact with through our ministry, Galatians 6:1 Ministries. Our Lord God knew about all their sins and hurts, and He sent them our way so we could help restore them. What a privilege we have!
To you who are reading these thoughts—whether you have taken a fall or are helping someone who has—God knows where you are. He knew this was going to happen. Will you return to the Lord and be restored? Will you help restore others?
These are such important decisions.
Let me say this to any wife who is helping her husband right now —do not give up without a fight. Walk in the Spirit. Let this be the beginning of a marriage that is better than ever.
Psalm 139 continues, speaking about how the Lord is with us everywhere, all the time, and sees everything we do. Please read it. It ends like this:
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:23–24
Let God search your heart, and talk to Him. He loves you.
by Brenda Hyles
