Holding Hands With God

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am

your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

When my daughter was small her dad and I took her on a tour of a cave in

Wisconsin. There was plenty of electric lighting down there and we saw many

natural wonders. At one point our guide told us that he was going to turn off all

the lights for about 30 seconds, and it would be absolutely pitch dark and silent.

Of course we did not want our little girl to be frightened, so each of us took one of

her hands. Sure enough, when the lights went out it was just as he had

forewarned; total silence and darkness. Our daughter was utterly calm and

unafraid because we were holding her hands, therefore she was completely

confident that she was safe and everything would be okay.

I’ve thought about that several times over the years. It’s a metaphor for putting all

trust in God all the time. When life is going well, and when life is crashing in all

around. Give thanks to and put your trust in the Lord and give Him thanks when

things are bright and sunny all around you, and everything seems to be going

your way. Hold onto His hand during those times, and keep it there when life

takes a turn that leaves you in a dark place; illness, loss, soured relationships,

disappointment. That’s how life is in this fallen world is. Have you or someone

you love been in what seems like total darkness and silence? Was there a feeling

of loss or fright? Rest assured that He is the one absolute in our lives and in the

universe. Hold on tight to Him no matter what. The light will shine again. God will

have your hand and get you through this part of your life. He will never leave you

nor forsake you.

Janet Witt