Held by our Father’s hand

Nearly a year ago, Coronavirus turned our world upside down, leaving many of us trying to work out a completely new way of life for ourselves and our families. It has been an unsettling, stressful and lonely year. And it hit us all completely out of the blue. Now, many are facing financial struggles, unemployment, and little opportunity to find lasting stability.

As we begin 2021 perhaps we realise more than ever that we simply don’t know what the future holds. There is no way to predict what challenges are coming, how long this post- COVID-19 season of challenge and change is going to last, or what other trials this is all going to lead to.

When the brokenness of our world forces itself upon us so strongly, the comfort of God’s Word can step forward even more strongly. While much of the Bible directs our focus to the future we are promised in Jesus’ presence, free from sickness, death, crying and pain (REVELATION 21:4), God also uses His Word to remind us of His presence for the here and now.

We do not journey through uncertainty alone. Our “ever-present help in trouble” (PSALM 46:1) is with us and in us, even now, even as we walk this long road.

It is striking just how much the Psalms repeat the image of God saving us and holding us in His “right hand” (PSALM 17:7; 18:35; 60:5; 63:8; 73:23; 108:6; 139:10). There is an intimacy in this image, like a parent clasping the hand of their child to keep them safe, secure and sustained even as they navigate dangerous situations together. As long as we are held by the hand of God, we cannot get lost. Our Father is right here with us.

Now, more than ever, it is really important to be praying for one another, spending quality time in the presence of our heavenly Father and encouraging one another that we are held in His mighty hands.

We face a new normal on earth, but nothing has changed in God’s kingdom; so we can face each day with confidence as we hold our Father’s strong hand.

Taken from ©, copyright 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Posted by permission. All rights reserved. Further duplication is prohibited without written permission from Our Daily Bread Ministries. To view © online, go to https://odb.org

As we have thought of the above, we have considered God as our Father. There are two aspects to the FATHERHOOD of God– a NATURAL and a SPIRITUAL aspect. This is clearly illustrated in a conversation Jesus had with a man called Nicodemus in John chapter 3. In verse 3, Jesus says: “Unless one is BORN AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE the kingdom of God.” In verse 4, Nicodemus shows he did not understand what the Lord was talking about, viz: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

He thus thought Jesus was referring to a second NATURAL BIRTH. Jesus then went on to explain that in order to be sure of Heaven when we die, every person MUST BE SPIRITUALLY REBORN (v7 “Do not marvel that I said unto you, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.”

Elsewhere the Bible explains this means receiving Jesus Christ as our PERSONAL SAVIOUR FROM SIN (“as many as received him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”– John 1v12.)

Another verse succinctly explains further what “believing on His name” means – it is Matthew 1v21: “You shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” You see, when a person believes that Jesus Christ died for his sins on Calvary, the Bible teaches he is SAVED (”Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be SAVED”– Acts 16v31).

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?

Nothing is more important if you want to be held by your Father’s hand– not only in THIS life but also in the LIFE TO COME.

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