Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26
When I was meditating on these verses I realized that if God is holding me by my right hand I can't use it. And since I am right-handed anything I tried to do with my left hand would be awkward and malformed.
The right hand in the Bible is a symbol of strength. Also, "The right side of a man is the side on which God 'marches' when assisting him in battle (Isa. 63:12; Ps. 109:31; 110:1, 5) and it is the right hand which God grasps as a symbol of election (Isa. 41:13; 45:1; Ps. 73:23)." i
Wow, what amazing grace! He has grasped my right hand; He has chosen me! But, if my right hand is in His, I basically can't do anything in my own strength. I would have to take my hand out of His. That explains my frequent urge to do just that – shake Him off and do it myself. Fearful that things are taking too long, that I'm missing out, afraid He has forgotten me.
But His word assures us that He will never forget. Yet, I am always with you. He will never leave us or forsake us. And think of this: though His left hand is occupied holding on to me, His right hand is free. And so, "though my flesh and heart may fail" God is my strength and help. He is fighting for me with His mighty right hand.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Psalm 138:7-8 (ESV)
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Lord, keep my right hand in yours
iJewish Virtual Library "Right and Left"
Photo, free download from Piqsels
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