Leaning!

Growing up we may have been reminded to sit up or stand up straight. Slouching, we were told, was not good for the back. Yet there are times we will find ourselves leaning; needing support whether it be physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. However, we must be careful what we choose to lean against. Leaning against that which is not strong enough to SUPPORT us can lead to falling and injury. People have leaned against deck railings, fences, and even walls which they unfortunately found were unable to SUPPORT them and suffered injury because of it. Others have rested their lives upon ideologies which turned out to have no substance to SUPPORT them and thus their hopes (financially, morally, socially, or spiritually) were dashed to pieces.

Solomon cautioned…
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.” ( Proverbs 3:5 ESV)

When we are weary or feel we are lacking in strength, what good is it to lean on ourselves? Leaning on our own wisdom for life will cause us to stumble and fall.

One of the psalmists declared…
“(5) For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
(6) UPON YOU I HAVE LEANED from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. MY PRAISE IS CONTINUALLY OF YOU.” ( Psalm 71:5-6 ESV)

God was Who the psalmist acknowledged as giving the SUPPORT that brought him into life and was sustaining him through it. We must never lose sight of how much we need to lean upon God rather than depending upon ourselves. We can depend upon what He has declared!

Someone has encouraged, “You cannot break God’s promises by leaning on them.” [source: bulletin clipping] God’s promises have been established. We can trust in them. They have power to SUPPORT us as we continue on in life. We can lean against them with all our weight in life and not fear falling. He is faithful and able to provide the SUPPORT we need if we are willing to trust Him.

Paul referred to our Lord in these words:
“And he is before all things, and IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.” ( Colossians 1:17 ESV)
We can lean upon the one who has the power to hold all things together. I’m reminded of the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” (Elisha A. Hoffman & Anthony J. Showalter, 1887) with the third verse which reads “What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.”

The things of the world will someday give way. We must therefore lean upon that which is everlasting in order for us to endure unto eternal life. Let us continue to lean on Jesus, trusting His power to SUPPORT us in this life and on into eternity.

Have a great day TRUSTING THE TRUE SUSTAINING POWER OF JESUS!
Carl

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