The last three years of my mailman career were spent in northeast Ohio. We had record snowfalls all three years, each surpassing the former. I have a sort of romantic love of snow, like I’m living out a scene from It’s a Wonderful Life, but after walking through a foot of it all day, the legs become rubbery, and I would end up stumbling into my house and immediately falling into my bed. “Just pull my boots off and let me sleep!”
Most of us know that feeling of just stumbling around seemingly aimlessly, either because we’re tired or maybe because we are sick. That was always a tale tell sign of our kids’ lack of wellbeing. They may have wanted to play with their friends, but if they could barely stand up, we knew something was wrong.
At times, God’s people were found to be stumbling through life, not due to the weather, but their own sin (Hosea 5:5). Isaiah draws a well-known comparison, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV). It’s an interesting paradox. The young, who are supposed to have all the vim and vigor, are weary and falling; while those who wait on the Lord are overflowing with spiritual vitality. Notice there is no age limit on these godly ones!
So, what brings on this surprising strength? Like Isaiah, Jude informs us, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). It is a heart-inspiring thought that God is right there with us during circumstances, that would bring others down, we can survive with His great energy!
It reminds me of those giant offensive linemen in football. The quarterback tries to sneak the ball over the goal line, but just as he is falling down short of it, his teammates grab him and push through for the score.
But we have a role in this as well. As God keeps us from stumbling, He says, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 20-21). God keeps us as we strive to keep ourselves in His love. Beautiful and lifesaving!
We conclude as Jude did, “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Are you stumbling, or strutting your strength right now?
Jeff Greene, minister for the South Stokes Church of Christ