Not IF, but WHEN

Do you have anyone who really 'stands up for you' through thick and thin? In good times and bad - they are just THERE. I know the power of a good friend - a close friend who is there through thick and thin, but I also know the supreme power of a God who is ALWAYS there for me. How about you? Do you know that supreme power - the amazing grace of God? What or who will stand up FOR you and WITH you when all manner of wickedness comes against you? When evil comes from all sides, who will be there? If you are a follower of Christ, having said 'yes' to Jesus, you know the answer to that one.

Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up. (Psalm 94:18-19)

When all manner of evil or wickedness seems to be unleashed around you, your natural instinct is to begin to feel the emotional turmoil this creates - you become 'upset'. Something or someone that is 'upset' is 'turned over' - no longer standing upright and steady. That is exactly what the enemy of our souls desires to do more than anything else - get us to a place where we are no longer standing upright and steady - where we will cave and give into compromise and sin. No wonder we need someone 'alongside' when attacks come - we aren't able to steady ourselves!

We will slip on occasion - we are human, after all. We will fall on others. Why are we so hard on ourselves when we begin to slip or find we are falling headlong into compromise or sin? We will always feel the tug of our enemy's pull - but we don't always have to fall. What our psalmist reminds us today is that we can just call out - rescue is as close as that. We can try to 'right' ourselves all on our own, too prideful to admit we need some 'steadying' help, but we shouldn't be surprised when we actually still fall. We aren't always equipped to 'right' ourselves alone!

I think we are always going to deal with temptation in this lifetime - slips will occur. We don't want to admit it, but we are only human. Our pride can keep us from asking for the help we so desperately need. Surround yourself with good friends, others who will support you with their faith when yours is a bit wobbly. Get into God's Word and let it get into you. Stand as best you can but remember this - you don't stand alone - God's protection awaits you WHEN you begin to wobble. Not IF, but WHEN. Just sayin!