Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:13b-14 “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

I was intrigued to see this odd plant on my walk at the harbor.  It is an agave succulent native to Mexico.  The nectar or “honey water” from this plant has long been used as a sweetener.  Its vertical flower stalk can grow up to ten feet!  Because it arches back toward the ground it is sometimes called, Fox Tail, Lion’s Tail or Swan’s Neck.  To me it looks just a bit sad and depressed .  But in fact it is producing so many small blooms that the weight of them bows it down.

Today’s verse is an encouraging promise.  The Lord is trustworthy because He is faithful to all His promises.  He promises to uphold all who fall and lift up those who are bowed down.  He sees when life becomes a heavy burden and we fall and stumble under its weight.  He understands when the struggles we face bow us down so we see only the ground.  But He promises to lift us up!

What is so incredible is that like this plant, I can still be producing something beautiful even when I am bowed down!  When I successfully move out of that depression or funk, I can share with someone else who is struggling (II Cor. 1:4).  My life can speak to others of the faithfulness of the Lord.  He does lift me up when I am down.  But even the experience of being down can be turned around by Him to be something beautiful and useful to Him!  How gracious He is!

Thank you Lord, that You are faithful to lift me up!