In safe hands

When you were growing up, did you ever tell others what you thought you might become later in life? Some of us seem to know from early on, don’t we? I suspect my older sister knew soon after starting school herself that she wanted to be a teacher. I still have a memory of being her ‘pretend class’ as I sat obediently on our back steps while she stood in front of me and ‘taught’!

Recently, our ten-year-old granddaughter looked up at me with her big, brown eyes and announced, ‘Nanna, I want to be like you when I get older!’

‘What do you mean?’ I asked her, thinking she might be referring to something I do or say as we spend time together.

‘I’m going to be an author like you,’ she said firmly, ‘because I write really loooooong stories!’’

I swallowed hard, thinking how much more it takes to produce a book than the ability to write long stories, but decided not to discourage her in any way. ‘That’s wonderful!’ I told her.

‘’Yes, I’m going to be an author and an illustrator!’ she added then, obviously very satisfied with her decision.

Who was I to dampen her heart’s desire at that point? I know Maxine has a wonderful imagination and an amazing ability to think up interesting scenarios. And she is definitely a much more talented artist than I will ever be. Maybe she will become a famous author and illustrator – but my heart went out to her as I envisaged the many discouragements she would most likely face along the way in tackling such literary endeavours. So, in that moment, I prayed she would know God’s presence beside her and in her, whatever twists and turns her life journey might take.

None of us knows exactly what lies ahead of us in life, do we? If we did, we might want to skip some of the more difficult parts altogether or at least reach the better parts sooner. I do not remember it but, apparently, I stated in our school magazine in my late teens that I wanted to become a writer. That is indeed what happened – but not until my middle fifties. Instead, I believe God guided me through various other occupations and many wonderful but also challenging experiences in my life that have hopefully served to add much more depth to my writing. But in the process, I also discovered that, however hard things are, God can always be trusted to watch over us and hold us close.

King David certainly went through many extreme ups and downs in his life. In Psalm 31, he does not leave us in any doubt as to how distressed he is at that point. He is in anguish, grief-stricken and weak, to the extent that he feels ‘like broken pottery’(12). As well, his friends and neighbours flee from him in contempt and his very life is in danger. Yet, in the midst of it all, he writes:

But I trust in you, Lord;
    I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:14–15a

Today, those hands are there for us too, whatever stage of life we are at – and they are indeed the safest hands imaginable because they belong to our loving, powerful Lord.

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In safe hands

I love the Psalms. I find myself constantly gravitating back to them for all sorts of reasons – when the world seems particularly chaotic, with wars raging on various fronts, when I am concerned about loved ones closer to home and when I am feeling tired or a little anxious myself. Often, the one huge lesson I take from reading them is that God is ultimately in charge – and what a reassuring truth that is, whatever is happening around me.

Recently, I began reading Psalm 93 but stopped after only the first couple of lines because I wanted to take in as best I could what they said:

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. Psalm 93:1a

On one level, these statements are so simple, yet on another level, they are so profound. To me, they were like a breath of fresh air – or rather a strong gust of wind, lifting me above the troubles of the world and focusing my mind on who the Lord actually is. What a victorious declaration about our glorious God! To me, these words shouted almost defiantly, ‘Hold on! Remember you belong to the Lord of the universe who still reigns supreme, who is strong enough to withstand any challenges and who is still in charge, whatever is happening around you right now.’

After a while, I moved on but stopped dead again when I came to the following questions in the middle of Psalm 94:

Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
    you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
    Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
    Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge? Psalm 94:9–10

I think we would all agree these questions pack quite a punch, don’t they? Obviously, the answer to them all is self-evident. Who knows when the foolish will ever become wise? Surely the Lord who made our eyes and ears is able to see and hear all things? Surely he who has the ability to bring whole countries into line will deal justly with everyone? And surely the Lord, the source of all wisdom and knowledge, knows everything too?

Sometimes we cannot see why our Almighty God does not act in a given situation in the way we think is right. Sometimes, we may even wonder where God is in the midst of such turmoil in our world. Yet God is present and is watching at all times. Our Lord is strong and mighty and just.

When I read these words, I immediately felt my spirit lift. I even sat up straighter and taller because these questions reminded me who I actually belong to – the most amazing, powerful God of the universe who was and is and always will be.

A few verses later, I was reminded that our Almighty God also cares deeply about us and longs to comfort us:

When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18–19

We are indeed in safe hands when those hands belong to our Lord who is so strong and able, yet also unfailingly loving, understanding and compassionate.

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