Hanging On
Don't Fear, because I am with you; don't be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10
Hanging on.
It’s the quintessential action movie scene. The hero hangs over the edge of a cliff, from the cargo hold of a plane, or from the landing skids of a helicopter with his arms outstretched. Clinging. Holding. Grasping for his partner.
If it’s the first act, the hero’s grip often fails. If the movie is near the end, you can guarantee that grip will hold. Every. Time.
This is one of the images we have from todays scripture. God’s hand won’t let you go. He won’t let you down. Ever.
When you find yourself holding on by a thread—He’s got you.
When darkness closes in, sadness and frustration cover you and weigh you down—He’s holding you.
When temptation is pushing you over the edge, addiction is yanking you back under, and grief doesn’t let you up for air—His righteous strong hand is holding you. Always.
Maybe this is the word you need today. But, for me, another image comes to mind.
I’ve never hung out of a helicopter, holding onto my wife—my grip as the only thing between safety and sorrow.
For me, just an average dad, the time my grip was tested the most is when my kids wanted to run away. Have you been that hero?
Regularly I would have to lock fingers with my kids, balancing between holding loosely enough that they can escape or tightly enough that I cause them pain.
Maybe they wanted to run off in a crowd. Other times we were too close to danger—a busy street or a suspicious situation. Other times they were angry. The only force that is greater than an angry child trying to get away from you is a toddler that doesn’t want to be buckled in her car seat.
Holding onto the arm of a child that desperately wants to run from you—to their own peril—have you had to do that before?
Sit in this image of God's hand. There is a reason we call Him Father--we are this children. The rebellious and rambunctious kids that think we know what is best. You try to do it your own way, try to blaze your own trail.
This is the Lord’s strong right hand that clings to you. He holds you. When you try to run. As you flee to the things that could harm you. Every time you get angry and try to storm off. He holds you. He holds you close. His firm and immovable hands hold you in His love.
So, try to run. You’ll never outrun his reach. His embrace. His love. It’s for you. Always. And there is nothing better.