Holding God’s Hand (Lent)

Isaiah 41:10 (Common English Bible)

Don’t fear, because I am with you;

don’t be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

I will surely help you;

I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.

I recall a story I heard a pastor tell. His granddaughter and another girl got into a lively game of comparison. One would say what they could do and then the other would come back with something even better. Finally his granddaughter said, “I can walk fifty-nine miles.” The other girl said, “You can’t!” His granddaughter then said, I can take my grandpa’s hand and keep up with him and he can walk fifty-nine miles so I can walk fifty-nine miles if I hold his hand.”

The pastor went on to say, “Though my granddaughter might be wrong as to how far I can walk, she is not completely wrong, for when she holds my hand she can do things which otherwise she could not do.”

That story has stayed with me for many years and it, along with Isaiah 41:10’s promises have been a source of strength and hope when times are difficult. In Isaiah we are reminded that God is with us, strengthening us and helping us. Then the great promise, “God is holding us with God’s righteous strong hand”, or I would say, “Wen I place my hand in God’s strong hand I will not be afraid. “ Many has been the time when I am in difficult times that I have thought, “How am I going to manage?” I fear and wonder, “Can I do it? Am I strong enough?” Then I pause and reach out mentally seeking for that righteous strong hand and my fears subside for I know God is with me. With God I can do so much more than I believed possible because I am holding on tight to that powerful hand.

As an example: I was asked to teach at a conference. Never before had I been in front of so large a group. There were many sitting there with as much and likely more knowledge on the subject than I had. I was afraid of looking foolish. I considered not doing it but I knew that I would let a lot of people down. So I studied and worried. The night before the event was to start I lay awake far into the night filled with dread concerning the day to come. Then I remembered this verse telling me not to fear for God was with me. A peace came over me. I recalled the study I had done, the passion I felt for the topic, and the realization that God was with me. I went to sleep and slept soundly and the next day I gave my presentation calmly and with joy. I did more than I thought I could do because I was holding onto God’s righteous hand.

So are you facing a difficult choice? Are you facing an uncertain tomorrow because of your health or the health of a loved one? Are there situations that weigh on your heart? Remember, you are not in this alone. Reach out and take ahold of God’s righteous hand and do not fear. You will find that you can do much more than you thought possible and that you can face these situations with love and grace.

Let us pray:

Loving God, when we are filled with doubt or fear remind us that you are there, holding us and helping us. May we always place our ives in your hands and find love and peace, AMEN.

This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Donn King.

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