by my right hand

>>> just wrote this for a Bible study group as the sun came up this morning… so some of the thoughts are scattered because I’m tired. But God can use even my weak attempts at revealing Him to truly bless someone. I hope it’s you. Happy Sunday!

I use my right hand for everything. Writing, drawing, brushing my teeth, using scissors, putting on makeup, texting, taking pictures, driving with one hand – I’m totally dependent on my right hand. My left comes in handy, too – particularly in piano pieces! – but for the most part, I’m using my right.

I’m also somewhat of a manager/scheduler/organizer. I like to be in command of a situation. I want to know where we’re going, how long it’s going to take to get there, how everything is going to work.

As I was reading through the Psalms a few weeks ago, I came across these few verses. I believe they’re somewhere in Psalm 73, but I didn’t write the reference down.

“So foolish was I, and ignorant… Nevertheless I am continually with you: you have held me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel…”

Okay, that’s nice, I thought at first. Many of us have grown up in Sunday school and church. We know the songs; we’ve heard the sermons on God walking by us through every trial, in every storm, in big things AND little. He really does hold our hand. I closed up my journal and shoved it onto my shelf for the next morning. Some days, I revisit my time with Him and think about the truths He gave me. Other days, I put Christ on the shelf and wander into my own ideas, forgetting about the slice of morning time I spent in His presence. That’s what I did that day.

As warm pre-sunrise light filtered through the blinds, I sat in the stairtower and read the hastily scrawled words. “You have held me by my right hand.” Why right? – I thought. Why does the Scripture specify my right hand?

Then I realized that this was a deeper truth than I saw on the surface. Right hand equals control. Right hand – dominant. Right hand – my own will, what I want to do. Put it into His hand.

The sun peeked over the horizon, and the words literally dawned on me. “Put your fear for the future – your need to control things – your dependence on your own ability – into MY HANDS. Let me hold you and take care of everything that you consider important. I am continually with you. Give me the best you’ve got. I’ll direct you in my ways. Walk my paths with me.”

Let Him have your right hand. Stand close to His side. And don’t fight to take it all back. His ideas are always better than yours. Always.