Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Lord Holds My Hand

Psalm 37:23 & 24 say,

The steps of man are established by the Lord;
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong;
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

I love these verses!

First, they say that God established the steps of man (and woman). I talk a lot about the confidence I have that God really has a plan for each of His children. Verse 23 tells me that God does have a plan, but also that He delights in the steps His children take.

Second, and even closer to my heart, God holds my hand. I often say, when I'm just not sure I can even get out of bed, "Jesus, please hold my hand a little more tightly today." I just came out of a really rough week. Physically, I wasn't doing well. The only way I got through each day was knowing that Jesus was holding my hand.

When I read these verses this morning, it was like God said to me, "My beloved daughter, you see? I hold your hand. You'll never fall too far or too hard. You can trust Me."

What a blessing it is to know that God delights in watching me walk according to His plan. And what a even greater blessing it is to know that He's holding my hand as I take each step.

Are you struggling? Are you unsure? Do you need the touch of your Lord? Just reach out your hand and say, "Jesus, please hold my hand just a little more tightly today." And feel the squeeze of His hand as it covers yours.

Friday, August 08, 2008

The Lord . . . My Strength

I was reading Psalm 28 a couple of days ago, and verse 7 really touched my heart. I know I've read it before . . . probably several times. But this day, it just spoke to me.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him."

I've been practicing a song with our church's choir called, "He Made a Difference." And the first lines say, "If it wasn't for the Lord, where would I be?"

Everytime I've sung those lines, I resonate with that truth. Where would I be? I'd be . . . well, I probably wouldn't be here. It's only because of the absolute trust I have in His love and faithfulness that I exist. Really.

I know He'll give me the daily strength I need.

I know He'll shield me from those things that would destroy me.

I know He'll help me.

So, as I sing songs of worship and praise, as I sing songs that draw others' hearts and minds to Him, my heart does exult. I can - and do - thank him with my song.

Do you know that God is your shield? Your strength? Let your heart exult in Him. Thank Him today with your song.