The Precious Hand of God

Nevertheless I am continually with thee:

thou hast held me by my right hand.

Psalm 73: 23

I'll never forget our first trip to the Smoky Mountains with little one, Jennie. She had outgrown the backpack carrier she used to ride in so now was either walking with her hand in her Dad's or riding on his shoulders at times. After about three days, we noticed Jennie was being resistant to letting her Dad hold her right hand. Finally, this dumb, first time mom asked to look at her hand. The back of her little hand had started to bruise. That little hand had been in her Dad's and at times for safety, Brian held her hand in a little tighter grip than he realized. He was upset about it because he had never intended hurt, but only her safety as we walked on those beautiful mountain trails.

I love that God holds us in the palm of His hand. I'm so grateful for his guiding hand, that hand that leads us along. There are times we are hand in hand with Him and don't even realize it. However He chooses, His hand is intended for our very best, our spiritual safety. It may seem at times that our hands are a little bruised as He holds us a little tighter trying to keep us from the evil of this world or from the steep precipices where we could so easily trip and fall over into danger.

If you are female, do you remember the first time a guy held your hand? By this I mean a guy who really “liked” you. You couldn't buy that tingle up your spine from any dime store. WOW!  Whoever he was has probably long come and gone but we are constantly holding hands with the God of the universe...our Heavenly Father. No fickle guy, this Heavenly Father of ours.  Unlike earthly fathers, our Heavenly Father constantly holds us in His hand. Scripture assures us of this wonderful ongoing practice.

He's holding my hand when:

Enemies threaten me: “My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” Ps. 31:15

I need saved : “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Is. 59:1

In the good times: “Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Is. 49:17

But does our Heavenly Father ever withdraw His hand for a brief time? In the book of Job in chapter two, verse 10, Job makes a comment that would lead us to believe that God might withdraw His hand from us for a time. He says...”Should we accept only the good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” You see, sometimes God removes His hand and allows negative things to to happen to good people. Why would He do such a thing?

His long range eternal plans for my life may not line up with the short-range plans I have for myself that I might consider to be much more comfortable.

Just because God allows difficulties to come into our lives doesn't mean He has forsaken us. His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us is still as true from the Word of God as it has ever been. Even in the difficult times, there still is nothing that can touch you and me without His approval. He knows what we need in order to grow and be as fruitful as we can be.

In recent days, I must admit to feeling like my hand is a little bruised. In face I feel it spiritually and can definitely see it physically. After a very serious fall, plunging down 12 wooden steps, in the dark and head long into a cinder block wall, I must admit to you that I have never questioned God's presence. Some have already asked me, “Where was God?” I assure them that He was right there. It all could have been so much worse without Him. I know in the process that He has things for me to learn. In it all, there might be some folks who can also learn from my experience.

The slight bruising on Jennie's hand was very temporary but that hand holding kept her safe and near to her Dad. I am praying that my bruises will serve the same purpose.

Dear Father...I thank You for the intimacy I have with you that You and I hold hands, that You are that concerned for my well being in every way. Help me to not try to wrestle my hand from Yours and to learn and trust You as we walk together. I love holding Your hand and You holding mine. Amen