Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of good men [and women] are directed by THE LORD. HE delights in each step they take. If they fall it isn’t fatal, for THE LORD holds them with HIS hand. [Living Bible translation]
DISCUSSION
Psalms 37 is one of the many sacred hymns or songs attributed to David. This Psalms was written in the latter years of David’s life. We know this because in Psalms 37:25, the very next verse, David declares: “I have been young and now I am old. And in all my years, I have never seen the LORD forsake a man who loves HIM….”
Psalms 37 is a psalm of reflection. It is the psalm of a man who has experienced life and who has “seen some things.” It is a psalm of a man who doesn’t need to brag or embellish his life’s work or accomplishments-- a man who is not afraid to admit that he has made mistakes. It is a psalm of a man who readily admits he has stumbled, but instead of being self-focused in self- admiration or criticism, David is GOD-focused, thanking GOD. While David surely stumbled, many times, GOD didn’t let him fatally fall. Psalms 37:23-24 are the reflections of a man sobered by the GRACE of GOD.
Looking over his life, David has the humility, courage and basic honesty to admit that it wasn’t his holding onto GOD, but rather, GOD holding onto him. David is not speaking as David, the king of Israel. The Psalms 37:23-24 “older and wiser” David, is speaking about GOD, the KING of KINGS.
In case you don’t remember some of the things that David encountered in his lifetime, here a just a few:
- It was David who faced his own person “life and death” Olympics against a foreign challenger named Goliath. (1Samuel 17)
- David spent many years running for his life and in hiding from a jealous King Saul (1Samual 19:9; 20:24)
- David was homeless, living in caves and fields (1 Samuel 20:24; 22:1)
- David was hungry and had to ask for help from a priest (the “church” or “temple” during those times – 1 Samuel 21:6)
- David sinned and had to confront the situation he put himself in (2 Samuel 12)
- David lost a baby. (2 Samuel 12:19)
- David had a child who rebelled against him (2 Samuel 15)
- David had family confusion and mayhem in his house, resulting in one son, Absalom, killing his brother, Ammon, who raped his sister. (2Samuel 13:30).
- David watched his own sins (rebellion against GOD, deceit, abused of power,
manipulation, seduction of a woman, etc.), seemingly being played out in his own sons’ lives.
Looking back “through it all,” David saw a lot of places and times when he failed, doubted, became discouraged, came up short and stumbled; but still looking forward and still standing, David praised GOD for never forsaking him, or letting him fatally fall.
EXERCISES TO PREVENT SIMPLE FALLS
STATISTICS
According to the National Council On Aging (NCOA), falls are the leading cause of fatal and
non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten a person’s safety, their independence and often come with a great economic and emotional cost.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- One in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year.
- Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
- Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.
- In 2014, the total cost of fall injuries was $31 billion.
- The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $67.7 billion by 2020.
See, https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/.
After a fall a person may experience depression, social isolation and feelings of helplessness.
But falls are not inevitable. For more information, go to: https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/preventing-falls-tips-for-older-adults-and-caregivers/
TIPS
According to “Some Simple Exercises To Prevent Falls,” Harvard Health Publishing, June, 2014, some tips to prevent falls include to:
- Have your vision and eyeglass prescription checked regularly. Treat eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration before they compromise your vision. Also increase the lighting around your home to avoid tripping.
- Ask your doctor to go through all your medicines with you. [Review drugs that are known to cause balance side effects and discuss prevention or times of ingestion.]
- Wear well-fitting shoes with low heels and sturdy soles.
- Stand up straight with your shoulders even, your spine neutral, and your abdominal muscles pulled in. Good posture centers your weight over your feet, keeping you balanced.
- Pay attention when you walk. Leave your cellphone in your purse, and hold off on conversations until you're sitting.
- Stand up slowly from a seated or lying position. Rising too quickly can lead to a rapid dip in blood pressure that can sweep you off your feet.
- Get at least 800 IU of vitamin D daily from foods or a supplement.
IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE WITH EXERCISE
There are a number of exercises that improve balance include: aerobic exercises, walking, Tai Chi, cycling, yoga, resistance and strength training.
Some simple exercises to prevent falls include the following:
- Stand up straight behind a sturdy chair, holding the back of the chair with both
hands, with your feet about hip’s width apart. Slowly lift up on your toes and then slowly lower your heels to the ground. Repeat 5-10 times. - Stand up straight behind a sturdy chair, holding the back of the chair with both
hands. While holding, slowly raise your right leg to the side about 3-6 inches off the ground then slowly lower your leg. Repeat 5-10 times on each side. - Stand up straight behind a sturdy chair, holding the back of the chair with both
hands. Extend your right leg behind you, with your toes touching the floor. Then bend your right knee and try to slowly bring your right heel to your buttock. Repeat 5-10 times each side.
See, Some Simple Exercises To Prevent Falls,” Id.
If you have a medical condition, you are on medication or have balance problems or do not regularly exercise, do not attempt the above exercises; instead, consult your personal physician for an exercise program that fits your needs or about starting an exercise program right for you.
GOD IS STILL HOLDING EACH OF US
GOD is still holding each of us, every day. There’s no doubt---we all stumble. We all
fall short. But, GOD is able to prevent fatal falls. And what HE did for David, Abraham, Samson, Rahab, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Paul, Peter and countless others, HE can do for me and you. So, trust GOD and stand! Then, Praise GOD and BE BLESSED!
