For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God.And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)
All through the Bible, God's right hand is woven through scripture. The right hand is always at work, yet it is a place of comfort and peace in the midst of turmoil. Jesus also sits at the right hand of God the Father. The right hand conjures up positive images and feelings. This verse reminds us that God also holds our right hand.
One of the strengths of this verse is applying it to our daily lives. It's one of those verses that you want to carry around with you wherever you go. Don't leave home without it. The Holy Spirit is at work in your right hand.
Working as a director in a child care environment, I observe a full range of emotions on a daily basis. I can see joy turn into tears in a moment's notice. I can see those tears mutate into a smile just as quickly. As children learn self-regulation they begin to build a resilience to the things that happen that they least expect. One child may work patiently on a block project only to see another friend come along and in one swoop take all that work and turn the masterpiece to rubble.
The heartbreak pours out of the heart of that three year old that worked so diligently to accomplish their project. Some children become angry and want to fight back, while other children just sit and cry looking at what once was and wonder if they could ever rebuild their masterpiece the way it was originally designed. The teacher then has to make swift decisions as to how to handle both children and their particular emotions. What worked with two other children the day before, may not be what these two children need to get through this crisis today. What lessons need to be taught to each child? Their needs are individual and need specific responses that help children learn that self-regulation is a part of learning about dealing with life's uncertainty.
Maybe those early years of learning to deal with disappointment and joy are truly just the beginning of understanding God's intense love for us throughout our lives. Are we really different than than the 3 and 4 year old children that play together? Sometimes we work so faithfully toward a goal and even when we feel we've reached it, something comes along and takes the joy away. And then there's that sinful part of us. Sometimes we play a role in taking the joy away from others, and we have to work through that painful reality and seek forgiveness. Even if we eat right, exercise, sleep well, and do everything we can to make our lives run smoothly, something like disease, an accident, a financial tragedy, infidelity, etc., can turn our masterpieces into rubble within a moment's notice.
If we carry Isaiah 41:13 in our pocket everywhere we go, we carry around this unique combination of knowing that God will provide strength, comfort, and guidance in and through all things our lives encounter. He can provide so much more than that preschool teacher in the classroom, because He is all knowing. He created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He will help us self-regulate to the circumstances that sometimes blow into our lives like a gentle breeze and yet at other times blast like a tornado when we least expect it. We just need to remember that when we turn to Him, He assures us that He is with us and will help us to not be afraid.
So, write down Isaiah 41:13, and put it in a precious spot in your wallet or purse. Or better yet, find a way to write it deep inside your heart. You are never alone and God is holding YOUR right hand. You are being led and comforted through this life. You have specific needs that God will fulfill to help you endure life's circumstances. So rest assured that you are in good hands.
Let us pray . . .
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for taking our right hand and leading us through the joys and storms of this life. May we rest assured and without doubt that your Holy Spirit will bring us comfort and guidance on our journey.
Amen
