Take my hand

 

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." - Isaiah 42:6-7

These 2 verses give us another powerful image of God's willingness to care for us. To imagine that God takes your hand and guides you into his purpose for your life, is humbling and encouraging.

Thought: When someone initiates holding our hand, we can choose to withdraw our hand from this embrace, or we can grasp the hand in response. How do we respond to God taking hold of us?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Take my hand

There are many stories of how difficult circumstances have birthed songs, books or poems. The songwriter, Thomas Dorsey, wrote the words to "Precious Lord, take my hand", after hearing of the tragic death of his wife and infant son. I can't imagine the pain he must have been experiencing, but I find it remarkable how he was able to put his emotions into these words. I believe that these words can offer us all some hope and courage in our own times of difficulty. 

Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river, I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:

Psalm 73:23 - Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Precious Lord, take my hand

“Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand;
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light;
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.”

The words of Thomas Dorsey have offer hope and comfort to millions of people over the last century, including Martin Luther King Jnr, Elvis, Jim Reeves and others. Written in a time of his own pain and suffering, Thomas found the solace and inspiration from his knowledge that God is always with us. 

May his words also speak to you today.

"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life." - Psalm 119:50

Living in Grace

D3LM3