In the past, I have shared that my husband (in the early days of our relationship) was a “no public displays of affection” kinda guy. Now, we hold hands all the time; in the car, walking down the street or through the mall, just holding hands all the time and I LOVE IT.
I have always found that there is love and safety in holding hands.
I remember how safe and loved I felt when my dad would pick me up from school and we would walk home, my tiny little hand in his. The love and safety that I felt as a little girl holding her daddy’s hand is something that I will never forget. My dad was a broken sinner, but I knew he loved me. And, when he held my hand, I felt like everything was going to be okay.
Several years ago, our children and grandchildren were at our house. It was a beautiful day and we all went outside so the kids could play in the yard. Our two toddlers wanted to stroll (or tumble 🙂 ) down the driveway. So, Grammy took both of their hands and we began to walk. Our rambunctious little 2 year old grandson took my hand and suddenly became subdued. He and our precious little granddaughter walked all the way down that long driveway (long for those little toddler legs 🙂 ) and then strolled all the way back up, never once letting go of Grammy’s hands.
That will forever be one of my most treasured memories.
But it was so much more than just a walk down the driveway. Those two babies trusted Grammy. Without a doubt, they knew that they were safe and loved.
So, those babies took my hand and headed down that driveway, never looking back.
They knew that I would watch out for them and protect them. They knew that I would bring them back to their mommy and dad. They trusted me. And they were right. I would protect them with my life if I had to. I would do everything I could to make sure that they didn’t stray off the path and into danger. And they knew I would bring them home safely.
Because of their trust, they took my hand and, with complete confidence, headed in the direction I lead.
This reminded me of the verse in Isaiah that says, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13. We need to view this verse in the same context we view those two toddlers and I holding hands.
The scriptures tell us repeatedly that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into the family of God. We are His children. 1 John 3:1 couldn’t be clearer on that fact: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.” In this verse, John is saying, “LOOK! What kind of love is this that God has poured out on us, that we would be called His children?”
This love that God pours out on us is beyond our comprehension. It is beyond anything we will ever experience apart from Him. His love is SO great that He sent His Son to die in our place. And He did that before we ever committed our first sin. He knew that we couldn’t pay the penalty for the sins that we were going to commit and sent Jesus, His only son, to pay that penalty for us.
In our Isaiah verse, our Abba Father has said, “I am the Lord your God, I hold your hand and tell you don’t fear, I am here to help you”. He is a loving Father who protects us. Psalm 27:1 tells us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” With our loving Heavenly Father holding our hand as we walk through this life, what and whom shall we fear?
If I, the broken sinner that I am, would protect my grandbabies with my life if I had to, would do everything I could to make sure they didn’t stray off the path into danger, and would bring them home safely, how much more will our loving Abba Father do for us?
He did protect us with His life. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25.
He does do everything He can to keep us from straying off the path into danger. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
And He will bring us home safely. “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3.
Your Abba Father is holding out His hand for you to take. He wants to protect, guide, and love you like you have never been loved before. He wants to hold your precious hand as you walk through this land mine we call life.
We all go through stuff, but we don’t have to go through it alone. Remember Isaiah 41:13, “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “’Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Reach up, take his hand and feel the love and safety in His hands.
I pray that today you would not only take hold of the hand of our Loving Heavenly Father, but I pray that you would curl right up in His lap. Trust Him fully and let Him love you deeply. He truly adores you. You will never experience that kind of love, peace and safety apart from Him. And, He desires to be your comfort and peace! Rest in Him.
If you have never experienced the love of our Heavenly Father or trusted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Once you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know so that I can pray with and for you. I can’t wait to help you grow in your knowledge of and relationship with our adoring Abba Father.
Luv Ya!
