Help
Them Up
If either of them falls down, one can
help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help
them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
I watched as the cow labored to deliver
her calf. Each contraction brought the calf closer to birth. As the
head appeared, the cow let out a long bawl. The veterinarian
carefully reached into the birth canal and took hold of the calf’s
front legs. He gently pulled at the onset of the next contraction,
and with one final bellow, the calf was born. The miracle of birth
had once again been repeated!
Although tired from its traumatic
ordeal, the newborn struggled to stand. Quivering, he forced his legs
together in an awkward motion, straining to get to his feet. But he
fell to the ground. The cow instinctively and affectionately nuzzled
the calf, cleaning his eyes and nose with her tongue.
After several failed attempts by the
calf to stand, the cow stood, and moved to a position directly above
the newborn. Using her tongue by curling it around the little bull’s
mid section, she lifted him until he was standing.
On wobbly legs, the calf took a
tentative step…and fell. With each fall the cow assisted him in
regaining his feet. In less than half an hour the calf was walking,
and nursing.
†
Like the calf, new and mature
Christians alike, fall down. And while the reasons we fall are
wide-ranging, getting back on our feet, and staying there, requires
the assistance of fellow believers. Typically, God sends someone wise
enough not to stand in judgment of us…someone who has been down
this road themselves.
Solomon’s warning to those who have
no one to help them in the event of a fall is meant for all of us. No
one should ever be left to fend for themselves. If you see a fellow
believer stumble, don’t stand around waiting for someone else to
help them. Go to them in love, just as you would want someone to do
for you, and help them up.
Prayer
“Lord, give me the
courage, strength, and compassion to help a brother or sister in
Christ to stand when they have fallen. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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