You can’t read the title without hearing those moppy-haired boys from Liverpool sing out one of their first infectiously memorable singles. As the song’s popularity rose and their exposure spread, millions of adoring female fans hoped they were singing that song to them. Such a simple gesture would indicate the beginning of a new relationship.
- While you may have held the hand of someone in a romantic relationship, we honestly hold hands with all types of connections.
- You’ve probably held a child’s hand, helping them navigate a situation that was too challenging or dangerous for them in their early years.
- On the other side of life, you’ve probably also held a senior’s hand as either the mind or the body wasn’t allowing quick actions and reactions.
In most situations, and maybe even within romantic relationships, the gesture indicates, “I’m here for you. I can help you when situations are challenging. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Maybe that’s what makes Isaiah’s description of the LORD so encouraging: “I will hold you by your hand” (Isa. 42:6). God knows we are weak. He understands that we get off the path. He often calls us to go into uncertain situations but never desires us to wander through them alone.
5 This is what God, the LORD, says—
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk on it—
6 “I am the LORD. I have called you
for a righteous purpose,
and I will hold you by your hand.
I will watch over you, and I will appoint you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light to the nations,
7Â in order to open blind eyes,
to bring out prisoners from the dungeon,
and those sitting in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the LORD. That is my name,
and I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9Â The past events have indeed happened.
Now I declare new events;
I announce them to you before they occur.”Isaiah 42:5-9
These verses remind us of the Creator God, who doesn’t abandon those created in His image. He calls us for righteous purposes, but He is committed to walking alongside us as we seek to discover and fulfill them. What a relief to know that He watches over us! He’s never been unsure, even when we get confused about our whereabouts.
God has promised to help us see what we need to see, find freedom from our bondage, and trust Him for future events (Isa. 42:7, 9).
No matter what happens, He’s got us.
He’s with us.
He’s for us.
If you are anxious about the steps ahead, realize that our Heavenly Father takes us by the hand and leads us forward.
We serve a God who does not leave us on our own but walks beside us through all the challenges of life. No matter what we face, we can endure because we do not struggle alone.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
