By: Ann Marie Servito / 20 May 2018
When God’s everlasting arms hold us, the feeling of safety, comfort, and love floods in. But being held by the Father means more than being comforted. The Harvest Month’s third Sunday told us what it means to have God’s right hand upon us.
This week carries the theme “I AM the One That Holds You” and in line with this, two young ladies of the church, Jacklyn Perale and Windeline Arsenal, performed a declamation, “The Lord Is The Upholder of My Life,” directed by Bro. Fernand Peralta. It was an art of speech, picturing the intimacy we can have with God and how God’s hands heal us and work in our lives. It was followed by a Interpretative dance, “Jesus Hold Me Now”, choreographed by Bro. Enrique Dela Cruz. The succeeding performances prepared us for the preaching of the Word by Rev. Toh Nee Lim.
Isaiah 41:10-13 King James Version (KJV) says: 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
The Lord says in the key text that He is the right hand that holds us! “The right hand” was mentioned 132 times in the Bible and it signifies different things. First, as Isaac placed his right hand on Ephraim, God also places His right hand on us, placing us first before others. Second, the right hand of God refers to His directions and that we are continually guided by Him. As we walk in life’s journey, the Lord establishes our steps and He leads the way for us. The third point tells us that being at the right hand means being in the location of honor. As God didn’t forget Isaac because of Abraham, he also didn’t forget us because of Jesus. Lastly, the right hand speaks about God’s strength and His help in times when needed. His hand is strong yet gentle to hold us in times of trouble.
As God’s people, it’s the time to share such news about the hand that holds us, that God’s hand yearns to reach out to the people outside the church. We are the laborers of the field and while it’s time for harvest, we will share with them that the Lord is the one who holds us!
