Rachel Whisman

“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:7 KJV

“When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” NIV -Psalm 94:18-19

One afternoon I was hanging out with my best friend’s daughter. She is almost three and is full of energy, curiosity, and joy. We were outside one day in her backyard. Her dad had created a little obstacle course with some plywood planks and remaining stumps from a tree that had been knocked over from a storm. A couple of stumps in a row and then wood planks connected to different stumps. She loved going outside and taking on the challenge of balancing herself from one stump to the next. As well as seeing how quickly she could walk across the skinny plank without falling. She wanted to do this again and again, but she needed help. She didn’t just need encouragement via cheering her on. The only way she’d be able to get started, dare to face the instability of the tree stumps under her feet as she took steps, and believe in herself, was by knowing that my hand was securely holding and guiding her across.

 At the beginning of this mini “obstacle course” I’d hold her hand and she’d step up onto the first stump and then begin. Along the way, she would wobble, but I would keep her secure. She would take too big of a step and slip a little off the plank, but she wouldn’t fall off. I was there. I held on to her hand and would catch her because I was stronger than her. At times she would get nervous, and her big, bold, and brown eyes would gaze up at me and I would give her the proper encouragement and she would continue. Quickly, she grew accustomed to my grip. My voice could soothe her fears more easily. Her trust was not just in the strength of my hand, but also in the strength of my love towards her through how I cared for her in this obstacle course. 

Reflecting on this, I realize I am the toddler in this picture. Not really, but spiritually this is who I am. This is who we all are in a sense. We are all navigating life through an obstacle course and this is where I am reminded of Psalm 63:7, “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” When we place our faith in Jesus, He places His hand over ours. His grip then is an assurance and guarantee for the rest of our lives. His grip is stronger than mine. Praise the Lord. Sometimes, I will forget He’s leading and guiding me, but it seems to be when life hits. When my foot slips I am reminded of His firm grip because His promises are the grip I feel. It is when I read about who He is in His word His Spirit moves in me to continue to trust Him. It is “His steadfast love that held me up,” (Psalm 94:18). His character motivates us. It’s who He is; His heart towards us which gives our hearts the proper encouragement to continue. Through the beauty of time, I become accustomed to His grip. Through reading scripture, His voice becomes even more familiar. I become more acquainted with my Father and knowing Him soothes my fears more easily. Therefore, let us take courage. Press on in whatever course the Lord has paved for you. We get to cling to Him, but praise God it is Him, our heavenly Father, who holds us up and will not let us go.