Give Me a Hand

I regret that I didn’t get around to adding a blog entry last month. The “lazy” days of autumn must have rubbed off on me!

Actually the fall months are always incredibly full around here. For me, one of the highlights of October was our annual luncheon for widows. This year Set Free, a group of young men in cowboy boots, jeans and western shirts, provided the approximately two hundred ladies with some foot-stompin, heart-blessin blue grass gospel music. They were great!

I came next in the program with a short message of encouragement to the ladies. As often happens to me, the talk grew out of something the Lord had been impressing on me over recent weeks.

I had been reflecting on the many Scriptures that refer to God’s right hand, as well as those that refer to Him holding me by my right hand. The following are just a few:

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me. (Psalm 18:35)

It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. (Psalm 44:3)

I stay close to you. Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. (Psalm 138:7)

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:9,10)

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. (Psalm 73:23,24)

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

Obviously God is a supernatural Being, so it isn’t exactly easy to picture what His hand looks like…let alone what it means for us to hold His hand. Nevertheless He repeatedly chose to use that symbolism to describe His care and I admit the picture helps me a lot!

Ever since the first time my husband reached out and took hold of my hand (That was thirty-seven years ago and I can still remember the thrill!), I’ve loved holding his hand. Whether I reach for him, or he reaches for me, both have a powerful effect. When I’m fearful, his hand gives me courage. When I’m sick, it soothes me. When I stumble, it steadies me. When I’m sad, it cheers me. When I walk, it guides me. Holding hands with him, I’m reassured of his love, his care, his protection, and best of all, his presence.

If holding a human hand can do so much… imagine the multiplied impact of holding the hand of God Himself!

So that’s what I’ve been meditating on lately. In the nitty-gritty busy-ness of everyday life, I try to keep that picture in my head… a picture of a Divine Hand holding mine. I have to confess that I waste a lot of time and create a lot of needless grief by keeping my hands to myself… living like I don’t need an extra hand.

But I do. And He knows that. So in His love, He keeps His hand extended to me. And when I grab it… and hang on tight… I wonder why in the world I ever let go!