Get a Grip! Grasping onto God

Winter hills – photo by Jill Rushbrook

“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” Isaiah 41:13

If you’ve ever held the hand of a toddler, you know that they are often squirmy, not cooperative, and very anxious to do anything else but hold your hand whether you are crossing a road, walking into a store, or just getting from one place to another. They think they don’t need guidance when they are the very ones who are in danger of missteps and mishaps if they don’t take the hand that wants to lead them to safety.

How similar we can be when thinking about our walk with God. We forget his hand is there. We stubbornly don’t want to take it. We are anxious just to get to the next thing without letting his hand guide our next steps. In my own life, there have been times that I have actually batted God’s hand away, taken steps of my own without being held and led by God, and it has been utterly disastrous.  And at my lowest moment, I reached out for His hand, and to my amazement, it was right there! Thankfully, there is no place we can go that God is not out of reach! “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139: 8-10) 

After going through a particularly painful loss, I felt very alone and afraid. I will admit that I did something some may consider strange. I balled up my hand, digging my nails into my palm, imagining that I was tightening my hand around God’s hand. But, the truth is that there is nowhere we can go where God cannot find us and guide us with his hand. He knows exactly where I am going even if I don’t. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) In taking His hand, I know I am holding the very hand of my Creator who has not only seen but has written every page, every chapter of my story. He knew me before I was even formed. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16).  Why wouldn’t I grasp His hand with all my strength? Whose outstretched hand bears the scar of his sacrifice so I could live with hope for today and tomorrow? Why wouldn’t I want to walk with Him hand in hand? So, tighten your grip on God. He longs to help and hold your hand every step of the way, handling all of life’s rocky roads, craggy climbs, or winding ways all the way to Heaven’s gates. Grasp. Grip. And don’t let go.