“Take my hand.” We say this to children as we cross a busy street or navigate a crowded public venue. Sometimes they grasp hold, fearful of losing sight of us, at other times they pull away desiring to assert their independence.
But our hand is used in more ways than to protect a child or keep a child from getting lost. Sometimes we gently encourage by placing our hand on the child or gently nudging them forward when their feet are stuck in obstinance due to self-consciousness, fear, or self-doubt.
As children of God, we have access to His hand. But what exactly does that mean. How is His hand an asset? Afterall, our heavenly Father is not flesh and blood but Spirit. There is no physical hand to grasp.
Let’s check Scripture to see the significance of having access to the hand of our Father and how we can take advantage of it.
–The Lord is always with us.
God is fully present everywhere, that is the attribute of omnipresence. The author of Psalm 16 finds this comforting. In verse 8 he states that because God is at his right hand he will not be shaken. No matter what we walk through He is right beside us. We can reach up and grab His hand.
–The Lord supports us.
David declares in Psalm 18 that the Lord was with Him in battle bringing victory. “Your right hand supports me,” he states (18:35b). When we are in the middle of conflict, feeling a little unstable in our situation we can know the Lord’s hand is upon us providing stability. We can remind ourself that the hand of an all-powerful God keeps us from toppling.
–He holds our future.
Psalm 31:15a reads: “My times are in your hand.” ESV
The New Living Translation of the Bible translates this section of Scripture as: “My future is in your hands.”
Derek Kidner writes in his commentary on the Psalms, “The very expression “my time” which faces the necessary fact of transience and change, both in one’s own being and in one’s surroundings, makes adversity easier to accept; while the knowledge that change is not chance (thy hand) can make the acceptance positive and personal. The Lord will be the stability of your times.”1
–The Lord’s hand steadies us.
Life has ups and downs that stumble us in the physical realm. Perhaps an unexpected bill from a medical practitioner, an expense not covered by insurance. But stumble is all such adversity can do because the Lord has our hand keeping us from tumbling to the ground. “Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:24 NLT) That is reassuring!
–God’s grasp keeps us from straying.
Ps 63:8—“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” ESV
Our ability to cling to God has little to do with us and everything to do with the tight hold He has on us. We could easily push away if His strong right hand didn’t have us securely in His grasp.
–God’s hand gives out provisions.
Psalm 104 praises God for the variety of things He has made that benefit all living creatures. For example, the cedars of Lebanon providing a place for birds to nest. Verse 28 states all are dependent upon God for their food. It reveals the personal care God gives by stating, “You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied.”
The image of God’s hand is a reminder that we walk in the presence of God. He is there for us always in every situation. Tell Him what you need and watch for His hand to provide it whether support, stabilizing, security, or straight paths. Take hold when it comes with a grateful heart.
©2025Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved
References:
1-Psalms 1-72 an Introduction & Commentary by Derek Kidner published by Inter-Varsity Press Downers Grove, Illinois