The Fall and the Father's Arms

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal as one of the favorites. He had trained for years, overcoming five surgeries just to reach that moment. But halfway through the race, his hamstring snapped. He crumpled to the track in agony while the other runners disappeared around the bend.

What happened next became one of the most replayed moments in Olympic history. Redmond pulled himself up and began hobbling toward the finish line, tears streaming down his face. Then a large man pushed past security and ran onto the track. It was Jim Redmond, Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder and said, "We're going to finish this together." Derek buried his face in his father's chest, and step by painful step, they crossed that finish line while 65,000 people rose to their feet.

Derek didn't finish that race on his own strength. He finished because he trusted the one who came to carry him.

That is exactly the picture the psalmist paints when he writes, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me." The Almighty does not promise to remove the injury. He promises to meet us on the track. Trusting God does not mean the race will go as planned. It means that when your legs give out, your Father is already running toward you.