The One who holds my hand

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

How many of us, parent or not, have had the privilege to walk alongside a little one, holding their tiny hand? It is a joy to feel the warmth of their hand, hear their giggles and their chitchat as they speak, and see the world through their eyes, and not just at our own hurried pace.

If you have had this privilege, then you know that, while holding their little hand, they can easily trip and fall even if there is nothing at all to make them stumble. It is a funny picture to think of a little child walking alongside you and, suddenly, for no apparent reason, they are safely dangling from your hand until their little flailing feet touch the ground and they are again walking correctly - at least for a while.

If you had not been holding their precious hand, they would have most probably fallen, with tears - and perhaps some blood - being the outcome.

As children of God, it is much the same with us. We are precious to Him, so He is holding our hand. We go along in life doing this and that, and He is holding tightly to our hand. We do right things and we do wrong things. Sometimes we mess up because we chose poorly, and sometimes we fail for no apparent reason. But the picture is the same. Our feet are flailing while He is holding on, and eventually our feet touch the ground and we are once again stable - all the while He is holding our hand.

As you live and love the LORD, you can go on knowing that He is holding on tightly to you during your good times, as well as your difficult times. He is there to get you back on your feet when you have stumbled, no matter if it was due to your choices or for reasons unknown. We can know that the LORD loves us.

“As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God, The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped.” Psalm 18:30-36