Lift Up the Fallen

"You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again." Deuteronomy 22:4

God calls us all to lift up the fallen.  He demonstrates this by His own example.  In Luke 24:50, as Jesus was preparing to ascend to the Father, Scripture tells us, "Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them." 

How much more lifted up could anyone possibly be than having Jesus Christ, in unity with God the Father, bless them with hands raised to heaven?

Psalm 145:14 reminds us, "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads."

I think sometimes when God calls us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we fail to recognize many of the fallen.  

Sometimes those who need the lifting are the ones who appear strong to us.  They are the ones we have seen lifting others so many times.  They are the humble and committed to God, always wearing His smile and twinkle of light in their eyes.  They care for the down-trodden and give to the needy effortlessly, as breathing.  They tell few of their burdens and sorrows, and seem to never tire of doing good. 

But they do tire.  

Isaiah 53:3 reminds us that Jesus understands how they feel when it says, "He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care."

Oh, that we would reach down and lift up our brothers and sisters, dig a little deeper to share a burden, care a little bit more, and respond to the loving nudge of the Spirit without hesitation when He prompts us.

"In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years" (Isaiah 63:9).

Goodnight, Runners.