My Foot Is Slipping

Winter weather can bring hazards and challenges. Cold is one of the challenges. The current news is talking about breaking low temperature records that go back nearly one hundred years. Last night the temperature dipped below zero, and next week promises to be even colder. Another challenge is snow - or, even worse, ice. Winter weather events can lead to slipping both in cars and on foot.

While navigating on ice can be treacherous, it is not the only situation that presents the possibility of falling. Falls can be prompted by physical frailty, exhaustion, or illness. They can happen when someone is walking on steep or otherwise difficult terrain. Falls can even occur for no apparent reason while walking in ordinary conditions.

In Psalm 38, David presents the idea of slipping. He is referring not to a physical danger, but to a spiritual one. In this psalm he is filled with contrition over his sin. As he seeks God's mercy, he refers to the heavy burden of his sin. His situation is so difficult that he is ready to fall (v. 17). In his prayer, he reveals what his enemies, those who seek his destruction, would like to do.

“For I said, May they not rejoice over me, who, when my foot slips, would magnify themselves against me.” Psalm 38:16 (NASB)

When David is weakest and most vulnerable, those who look on want to take advantage of the opportunity. When they see David's foot slip, they are ready to pounce upon him. They are ready to knock David down even more so they can exalt themselves.

No one needs that kind of acquaintance around during a difficult time. When our foot slips, we need someone who will help to hold us up, not someone who will push us down further and laugh at our fallen condition. Thankfully, we have such a person. Psalm 94 reveals a different response that also happens in slippery situations.

“If I should say, My foot has slipped, Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.” Psalm 94:18 (NASB)

When it seems that this psalmist stands alone in his time of need, he knows that he is not really alone. God is carefully watching and listening to all that is going on (v. 9). When God sees His child's foot slip, His lovingkindness causes Him to step in and give His aid. God holds up the one who is falling.

What a wonderful truth it is to realize that God loves us so much that He has compassion on us in our struggles! When others might stand idly by or even contribute to our instability, God reaches out to us. His mighty arms hold and protect us. While it may be true that we have enemies who want nothing more than to see us fall, the God who holds us up is greater than they are. It is to this strong and loving God that David turns in Psalm 38:22: "Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!" In our own slippery situations, we must also turn our gaze upon the one who can hold us up, rather than focusing on the dangers that threaten to pull us down.