Bible Passage (KJV): Psalm 145:8–14
- The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
- The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
- All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
- They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
- To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
- Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
- The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
EXHORTATION
Welcome to Mercy Speaking Devotional, and welcome to this Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Today, in the middle of the week, God is bringing a word of hope to every weary heart: you may have fallen, but mercy can lift you again.
In London, United Kingdom, a man named John Newton lived a life that, by human judgment, seemed deeply damaged by sin and moral failure. Born in 1725, Newton became involved in the slave trade as a young man and lived for years in rebellion, profanity, and spiritual carelessness. His life was marked by hardness of heart and participation in one of history’s painful injustices.
But in 1748, during a violent storm at sea, Newton cried out to God for mercy. That moment did not instantly make him perfect, but it became the beginning of a long journey of conviction, repentance, and transformation. Over time, he left the slave trade, became a minister, and later joined voices against slavery. He is remembered today as the writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” a song born from a life that had been lifted by mercy.
Newton’s story reminds us that God’s mercy does not merely notice fallen people; it reaches down to raise them. A fallen life can still become a vessel of grace when it is surrendered to God.
Psalm 145 gives us a beautiful picture of the heart of God. Verse 8 declares that the Lord is gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy. This means God is not eager to destroy the fallen. He is not waiting for one mistake so He can cast people away. His nature is compassionate. His mercy is great. His patience is real.
Then verse 14 gives the central message for today: “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” This is not a small promise. It reveals God as the lifter of the fallen and the strength of those who are bent under life’s burdens.
People fall in different ways. Some fall morally through sin and wrong choices. Some fall emotionally through grief, depression, disappointment, or rejection. Some fall financially through loss, debt, or poor decisions. Some fall spiritually through prayerlessness, discouragement, or distance from God. Others are bowed down by sickness, family problems, betrayal, or the heavy weight of responsibility.
But the Scripture does not say God upholds only those who never fall. It says He upholds all that fall. That does not mean God approves of sin or excuses disobedience. It means that when a person turns to Him in humility, His mercy is available to lift, restore, and strengthen.
This is the difference between condemnation and mercy. Condemnation says, “You have fallen; remain there.” Mercy says, “You have fallen; let Me lift you.” Condemnation points at the dust on your garment. Mercy stretches out a hand and says, “Rise again.”
Throughout the Bible, we see this lifting mercy at work. David fell, but God restored him when he repented. Peter denied Jesus, but Christ restored him and entrusted him with responsibility. The prodigal son fell into wasteful living, but the father welcomed him home. The woman caught in sin stood under accusation, but Jesus gave her mercy and a new direction.
God’s mercy does not lift us so we can continue falling carelessly. It lifts us so we can walk differently. When mercy raises a person, it also teaches that person to live with humility, gratitude, and obedience.
Maybe you are reading this today and you feel bowed down. You may feel that your strength is gone. You may be ashamed of a decision you made. You may be tired of repeating the same struggle. You may feel spiritually dry, emotionally weak, or inwardly defeated. Hear this clearly: your fall is not stronger than God’s mercy.
Do not let the enemy convince you that falling means you are finished. Falling is painful, but remaining down is more dangerous. The right response is not to hide from God, but to reach for Him. Mercy is available, but you must stop resisting the hand that wants to lift you.
The Lord does not lift the proud who justify their fall; He lifts the humble who acknowledge their need. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” That is the posture of restoration—humility before God.
Today, let mercy lift you from shame. Let mercy lift you from discouragement. Let mercy lift you from spiritual weakness. Let mercy lift you from the fear that your story is over.
You may have fallen, but God is still gracious.
You may be bowed down, but God is still compassionate.
You may feel weak, but God’s hand is still strong enough to raise you.
This Wednesday, receive the mercy that lifts the fallen. Rise again—not in pride, but in grace. Walk forward—not in self-confidence, but in surrender. The Lord Who upholds the fallen is reaching toward you today.
Food for Thought
If God’s mercy is strong enough to lift the fallen, why should your fall convince you that your life is finished? The hand of mercy is not stretched out to condemn you, but to raise you into a new walk of surrender and obedience.
Prayer Points
- Father, thank You because You are gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and full of great mercy.
- Lord, lift me from every place where I have fallen spiritually, emotionally, morally, or physically.
- Father, break every voice of shame, condemnation, and hopelessness speaking over my life, in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, give me the humility to receive Your correction and the strength to walk in obedience after You lift me.
- Father, let my life become a testimony of Your mercy that restores, upholds, and raises the fallen, in Jesus’ name.
