My niece has been living with us for five months. She has a 15-month-old son and I love him as though he were my own grandson. Life has changed so much here. Toys litter the floor, cartoons play on the TV and silliness reigns. I do not mind making a fool of myself just to see his face shine with adoration or laughter.
By far one of the greatest joys is when I hold him, he gives me a kiss on the cheek or I take his little hand in mine. I have found we hold hands when playing, but I also reach out and grab hold of him to steer him the right direction. I think back and remember life with my now grown children. I often held their hands to keep them safe while crossing the street or to keep them from getting lost in a crowd. Whenever they stumbled or lost their footing, I'd grab their little hands and pull them closer to keep them from falling.
That’s what God does for us.
Inevitably as we journey through life, we encounter stones and cracks that threaten to trip us up. That’s why it’s easy to identify with the psalmist, who said, "My steps had nearly slipped". (Psalms 73:2) If I had a dollar for every time my steps slipped!
We all face a variety of issues that threaten to make us stumble. For the psalmist, seeing the prosperity of the wicked caused him to question the goodness of God. But God squeezed his hand and reassured him, given the judgment of God; the wicked do not really prosper.
True prosperity, the psalmist discovered, was found in the fact God was always with him: You hold me by my right hand (vs23). And just for good measure, God reminded him He would also guide him through life and ultimately welcome him home to heaven! (vs24).
Next time you stumble, remember the powerful hand of God is holding your hand and walking you through life --- all the way home! -Joe Stowell
I love the following stanza from an old hymn:
Many things about tomorrow
I do not seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand! -Stanphill
I pray you are all touched by the precious and true words of Stanphill. It is a good reminder for us all to remember that when we feel alone...secluded by what we are going through... afraid...or we land smack dab on our faces...we do not suffer alone. God is right there with us – standing on the other side of the veil...in that unseen world of the spirit. Oh, to see through the veil. One day each of us will walk through the veil and we will see the world, which surrounds us now, though for now it remains unseen. Perhaps, one day we will see all the activity that occurred all about us when we were so unaware because Jesus was interceding for us.
Stop for a moment, close your eyes and envision Who is holding your hand right this moment.
Psalm 73:23 “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand”.
Be strong...be encouraged...hold tightly to His Hand.