Day 6: Holding Up a Shipmate

Psalm 119:117 (NIV): “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.”

One day while looking out over the flight deck from the bridge, I beheld a curious sight. The E-2 aircraft was preparing to move into position for takeoff. Trained personnel direct the aircraft from a staged position to the catapult, where they are launched. This is a two-man operation. Why? Propellers on this aircraft are huge—at least twenty feet in diameter. The wind generated from them will blow a normal-sized sailor away. To prevent this from happening, another sailor stands behind the first sailor and places his hand between his shoulder blades to steady him and allow him to give vital instructions to the waiting pilot. The strength and positioning of this second sailor is just as important as the instructions given by the first.

Where would we be without the support of other Christians? More importantly, where would we be without the support of our God? In the answer to these two questions lies the key to our success as the people of God. The psalmist understood the necessity of having the presence of God to hold him up. Without that presence, we would surely fall and fail. Likewise, without the presence and support of other people of faith, we would easily become susceptible to the high and dangerous winds of uncertainty and change. Always remember:

When the winds are high and I need a helping hand,
Be my support, O Lord, give me strength to stand
And send me a friend, dear God; position them close by my side,
Then together, with you my Savior, we can—any obstacle—override!

Questions to Consider:

• Have you asked God for support today?
• Have you relied on the help of fellow believers?
• How have you faired when facing the high winds of uncertainty and change?

Reflection for the Day:

• Think about the many ways God and friends support you throughout this day.
• Reflect on how life would be without that support.