Reach for His Hand - Melody Decker
There are so many times in life that I feel just like a helpless little child. Regardless of my age and experience or my knowledge and abilities, I can often find myself feeling totally inadequate for the tasks before me. I’m way beyond the “grownup” stage now. Recently, I have entered the senior stage of “retirement age,” but I still experience anxiety over the unknown and find myself wishing to be back under the protective guidance of my parents. They’ve been gone for years now, and there are days that their absence washes over me like a dark cloud. There is that lonely reality that they are not just a phone call or a road trip away. I can’t just reach out and take my mother’s hand and feel safe and well. I can remember going shopping with my mom when I was little. She would tell me to not let go of her hand when we were crossing the street or in a crowded area. I would hold on tightly to her hand and feel secure knowing that she was right there beside me. She is not there anymore to come nurse me back to health when I am sick. My dad is not there to turn to when something needs to be repaired or when I need some advice. I am the gray hair now that the younger generations expect to have the wisdom and guidance for life situations.
There is a special comfort that comes from the touch of a loved one’s hand. I still enjoy the secure feeling of holding my husband’s hand while walking through the parking lot to the store or while walking down the sidewalk of a busy street. I gain pleasure in enjoying his company whenever we are together. I feel cared for and safe with my hand in his. One of my greatest joys in life is that of holding the hand of the little ones. There is just something special about them reaching out to hold your hand and purposefully wanting to walk with you. When my children were little, I would often tell them that I loved them without even saying a word. I’ve done the same with my grandchildren. I would simply give their hands three tight squeezes to express “I Love You!” I could do the same today, and they would still know exactly what I was saying to them.
The busyness of life and ministry keeps me from being with my children and grandchildren on a regular basis. There are moments when the time and distance become almost unbearably lonely for me. I’ve always understood that God has promised to never leave or forsake those who have trusted in Him. He has given us the comfort and assurance of the Holy Spirt dwelling within us, and I have always leaned on that promise in times of temptation and attack from the enemy. I have pulled from that strength to overcome and to be encouraged during hard times; but during one of those particularly lonely seasons of life, God opened my eyes to an amazing truth in His Word. He is literally beside my right hand ALL OF THE TIME! The scriptures just jumped right off the page and into my heart helping me to see God’s hand is right there reaching out for me to grab and hold on tightly as He walks with me through every trial, every lonely heartache, every unknown territory, every sickness, every loss and sorrow, every fear, and every wondrous victory! He wants to squeeze my hand with “I Love You” every time I need the affirmation of His presence.
In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord spoke: "Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” In verse 13: “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
The great King David recorded for us in Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” He also states in Psalm 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”
God’s Word has placed in my mind this beautiful picture of my Heavenly Father always standing at my right side with his left hand opened and waiting for me to take hold in absolute trust and confidence while He battles for me with the might of His right hand.
Psalm 17:7: "Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them."
James tells us that if we will draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to us. God is not distant but is actively involved in all aspects of life. David knew this concept and expresses his acute awareness of God’s Divine Presence in Psalm 63:8: “My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” He clearly acknowledges God’s continual presence in Psalm 139. (I encourage you to take a few minutes right now to read this Psalm in its entirety.) In verse 7, David asks, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” Regardless of his possible surroundings, he acknowledged, “…thou art there.” David understood that it did not matter where he would go…verse 10: “Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.”
The Right Hand of the Lord is Righteous. Righteousness is God’s character. He cannot act otherwise. His Right Hand is Sovereign and Mighty. He can be trusted to work all things out for our good and His Glory! Hold His hand and He will lead you. Just hold tightly on your end. He will not let go of you at any time. That’s a true Father’s hand- it loves you, guides you, disciplines you, protects you, blesses you!
Psalm 16:11
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”