You know how sometimes when you are reading, a line  pops out and stays with you?  Well, that happened to me this week while I was reading Psalm 73:23 “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.”  I was struck by the image of God holding me by my right hand and it got me thinking of holding hands.

I can remember how I felt when someone that I cared about reached out and took my hand as we walked together.  It was a great feeling, knowing that we were connected, and even if there were no words spoken, hand grasping hand was communication enough.

Think of a parent holding the hand of a child.  That child feels secure knowing that they are being led by someone who loves them.  And, if the child should stray towards danger, the grasp of the parent becomes stronger to lead them away from harm.

The  image of an elderly hand being held is one that connotes tenderness, compassion and love.

Psychology Today says, “Tough is the first sense we acquire and the secret weapon in many a successful relationship.”

And now, back to Psalm 73.  We have a God who holds us by our right hand.  He (She) is not a distant God looking down (judging) us from some distant place, no, He is a God who is right beside us, holding our hand.  A God who longs for a personal relationship with us, a God who is there, holding our hand, patiently waiting for us to welcome Him into our hearts.

I find it so reassuring to know that God has my right hand.  To know that He is right beside me through each of my life’s adventures, both joy-filled and sorrow-filled.  He doesn’t let go no matter how many times I turn away and try to run.

Why do we sometimes depict God as a menacing judge, waiting for us to fail, only to pronounce His judgement and condemnation?

God is love, celebrate that love, rely on that love, bask in that love and know that He is always with us and He holds our right hand!”