When We Stumble: Devotion for September 1

"Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."—Psalm 37:24

David K. Rubins’ sculpture Stumbling Man captures something deeply human. The figure, caught mid-stumble, is raw, vulnerable, and unfinished in his perfection. There’s no heroic pose, no polished strength. Instead, we see fragility—legs buckling, arms reaching, body fighting gravity. It’s a moment we all know too well.

We stumble in many ways. In our faith, when doubts creep in. In our relationships, when words wound instead of heal. In our decisions, when fear or pride guides us. The stumble reminds us of our humanity—that we are dust, not marble.

Yet Scripture insists: stumbling is not the end. Psalm 37 says even when we stumble, we do not fall headlong, because the Lord’s hand is steady beneath us. Our stumbles may surprise us, but they do not surprise God. He knows our weakness, and in his mercy, he offers more than a hand—he offers himself.

Think of Peter, who stumbled in the courtyard when he denied Jesus. Or Thomas, who stumbled in doubt. Or Paul, who stumbled in persecuting the very church he would later help build. Each one met the grace of Christ, who turned their stumble into a step forward.

Rubins’ Stumbling Man is not lying on the ground—it is caught in motion. And that’s the hope of the gospel: our story doesn’t end at the stumble. God’s hand lifts, steadies, and strengthens us to walk again.

Featured art: David Kresz Rubins (1902-1985), Stumbling Man, Newfields, Indianapolis