Hold Tight!

Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not. I will help thee.”

My father was a big man. He was a little over six feet tall and weighed somewhere in the mid-250s. His deep voice was loving, and his laugh was always robust! One thing I remember clearly about my dad is that his hands were huge! He worked as a contractor for most of my life, and wielding the tools of his trade undoubtedly strengthened his hands. Sometimes when we walked, he would hold my hand. When his fingers closed around mine, I was secure in his grasp, and I had not a care in the world. As little girls often do, I adored my dad. I suppose I could say he was a gentle giant with me, and as a small child, he was my almighty protector. When I was afraid, Daddy’s hand would reach out, take mine, and I would no longer be fearful. There was never any doubt in my mind that my father would keep me safe as long as my hand was in his.

As I read today’s verse, it was easy to focus on the latter part of it, but the Holy Spirit led me to contemplate the first section. I reread the verse and the phrase “thy right hand” caught my attention. That phrase has multiple meanings in Scripture, but three of them were particularly applicable to my life.

First, Psalm 109:31 records, “For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.” I was that poor sinner whom God in His mercy saved. He did this by sacrificing His only begotten Son on a cruel cross. Jesus died to be my Saviour, so that I could have an eternal relationship with Him. God stood at my right hand on March 10, 1968 to save my soul from condemnation.

Secondly, being at the right hand of someone is a place of honor. In 1 Kings 2:19, the mother of the king is seated at his right hand in a place of honor. Colossians 3:1 states “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Jesus Himself sits at the most honored place in heaven, the right hand of God, His Father. Jesus, my most honored companion, walks with me at my right hand, holding tightly to it. He stated in Matthew 28, “…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

The third meaning is found in Psalm 110:5. It states, “The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.” This verse tells me that God fights for me at my right hand (side). I have faced many struggles in my life, but God has always been with me. Even through the most difficult and frightening times, I have never walked alone. Psalm 23:4 says “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…” God held my hand through every situation and fought every battle with me. I know He will continue to do so.

When I accepted Christ as my Saviour, I was adopted into the family of God. That means that God is my heavenly Father! He is the One who now firmly holds my hand in His. He is the One whom I walk beside, “safe and secure from all alarms.” The words from the beloved hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” by A. Showalter and E. Hoffman have so much greater meaning to me now than ever before.

“What have I to dread, what have I to fear
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near
Leaning on the everlasting arms!”