Thursday, April 10 Isaiah 41:13

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.”

HOLD MY HAND

In these words I read that God is with me now. I see this more like a little child who holds onto his parent`s hand while walking down the street instead of the parent who grabs the child`s hand to protect him from traffic. God is with me all the time, holding my hand. At times I really, really need his protection and the warmth of his hand, but I also need the daily comfort of knowing that his hand is always touching mine. It is more than protection against fear; it is knowing that I belong to him.

Lent is a time of preparing for an unknown future. There is always fear in the unknown. I am sure that the disciples talked about the future during the last trip to Jerusalem. They discussed many things, such as who would sit on his right hand. Christ told them to be like little children. Is there anyone more fearless than a little child? Don`t we all watch them because they have no fear? Don`t we both envy the lack of fear and also hold on tight to the little hands because we are fearful? God knows the future. I trust him more than any parent. We need God to hold our hand on these days before Good Friday and Easter, but we also need to grab his hand on Good Friday.

These verses are also important in that they say more about who God is. God is the person holding your hand. He is the great I Am. He is the one ultimately keeping you safe. He is the one with power over the grave. He is the one to whom Christ said “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” On Easter morning, God opened his hands and returned the spirit to his Son.

I think the Holy Spirit speaks in many ways, including by song.

 “Many things about tomorrow, I don`t seem to understand.
 But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.”*

Our protecting God, the Great I Am. There is a lot to be fearful about. We are grateful for your assistance. We are thankful that although we will make mistakes and we will sin, you still hold our hand and give us your grace. I am fearful of tomorrow. I am fearful of next week. I am not fearful of the future. I know that is not rational, but then much about my relationship with you is not rational. Thank You.

Russell Muse

*“I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,” Ira F. Stanphill © 1950, renewed 1978, Sinspiration Music.

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