Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:14 “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

The idiom, “as light as a feather,” has been around for hundreds of years and no one can say with certainty how it originated. Most often it is used in a literal sense to describe something as extremely lightweight. But it can also be a phrase to describe one’s sense of release and joy. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol describes himself as “light as a feather” after his transformative nightmare.

Today’s verse is part of a psalm of David that praises God for who He is. So many of God’s attributes are mentioned including His grace, compassion, goodness and faithfulness. But perhaps the action God takes towards us in this verse summarizes those attributes. The Lord actively upholds those who fall. He sees and responds to those who are bowed down by lifting them up. The guilt that we feel for our sin can feel like a burden too heavy to bear (Ps. 38:4). It is our own sinfulness that can weigh us down. By contrast, His forgiveness gives a lightness to our souls not found anywhere else.

It is true that when I allow my pride to keep me from admitting my fault, then I end up carrying around the guilt of it. It can feel pretty heavy. But, when I finally get over myself and confess to the Lord all that is wrong in me, He gives me a light heart. Rather than feeling crushed in my spirit, I am lifted up and can begin again.

Thank you Lord, that Your forgiveness can make me lighthearted!