The other day I picked up Barrett from school to go with me to get my flu shot. He already had gotten his flu shot at school, so he knew how it felt. As Kerry got the injection ready, I sat in the chair while Barrett sat beside me. In a minute, Barrett reached over and held my hand. He knew that I needed some encouragement.
Doesn’t it make us feel so much better when someone holds our hand when we are scared, fearful, worried, or just sad?
Last year at 5:00
Can’t you see all of these scenarios? Can’t you see Barrett reaching out and holding my hand as I got my flu shot? Can’t you see Jesus reaching out and bringing us into heaven?
The words right and hand together are mentioned at least 32 times in the bible. The way it is used in the scripture we will read today is to mean encouragement. This encouragement was for the people of Israel. It is a promise that God will strengthen their hands and will help them. He will take us by the hand as our guide to lead us in our way and will help us up when we are fallen or prevent our falls; when we are weak, he will hold us up, wavering he will fix us, trembling he will encourage us and so hold us by the right hand.
Last week I talked about the new study I am doing 40 days in the word. The method from last week was the PRONOUNCE IT method. This is where you look at the scripture and dissect it.
This week our 40 Day in the Word Bible Studies method of week 2 is PICTURE IT. Some people would rather watch a movie versus reading a book. This is what the picture it method is. It is when we take scripture, and we picture the scene in our minds. We see ourselves as one of the participants. When we picture things in the bible, it will come alive for us.
The scripture for today is Isaiah 41:13. Isaiah was a prophet; his words are full of hope as he unfolds God’s promises of the future through the Messiah.
DIVE INTO SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
THE MESSAGE
Because I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’
DISSECT AND VISUALIZE
NIV- takes hold of your right hand
MESS- have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go
NIV- do not fear
MESS – don’t panic
NIV – I will help you
MESS- I’m right here to help you
When I read the commentary, I went back up and read Isiah 41:10 So do not fear for I am with you do not be dismayed for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 through 13 the words speak the truth, do not fear God has ahold of your hand.
Isn’t it because of fear that we want to hold a hand? Wasn’t it because Barrett knew what a flu shot felt like and had empathy for me that he held my hand? Isn’t it because we want our loved ones not to be scared and leave this earth with us holding their hands? We not only want, but we need for God to hold our hand.
I had written on this page- HAVE YOU NOT REALIZED HE HOLDS YOUR HAND?
Embrace his hand today as you continue this journey called life until we get to the time in our life when he grasped hold of our hand and gently leads us into our eternal home.
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK
- Keep your daily appointment with God
- Dive deep into the word
- When you are fearful, worried, or scared, KNOW He holds your hand
- Fill your cup with Christ
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