Psalm 94:18 When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

Sometimes when we walk, we encounter patches of ice or loose gravel and we feel ourselves slipping. How comforting it is to have someone close by to reach out and steady our steps! That reassuring grasp or offer of a hand or arm is greatly appreciated. Soon we are walking steadily and confidently again.

Our walk of faith is much the same. From time to time we encounter rough patches that threaten our faith walk. It might be a slick temptation to return to past unfaithfulness to the Lord. It might be the slippery slope of building excuses not to read the Bible, go to worship or daily prayer. We sense that something is wrong but we seem to not be able to control ourselves.

It is in those times that we need to remember that God is there with hands outstretched in love. God’s presence in our lives can keep us steady in the midst of the temptation. We can gain control and walk confidently knowing that God will never leave our side.

O Lord, thank you for always being present with us especially when we begin to slip. Help us to reach out to you and to feel your strong embrace. Amen.