Fields United Methodist Church

Jesus Along the Way: Words of Hope and Grace.                       By Pastor Tom Joyce

August 11, 2020

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, do not fear, I will help you.”       Isaiah 41:13

There are times when we just need someone close by, to not only walk with us along the way but to give a certain amount of comfort in an uncertain time. When I first read God’s Word according to Isaiah 41:13, I thought the grammar was off; there should have been the word “will” before the word “hold.”  But as always, God’s Word is God’s Word and God means what God says!  God does not say he may hold your hand or will hold your hand at some point in the future; God says I am holding your hand now, right now! Thank you Jesus for the gift of your presence, even when we think you are not around. At some point in a child’s life, they venture away from their parent’s hand; yet the watchful, loving parent is still watching, arm extended just far enough for them to take the child’s hand if they stray too far. At first, there is resistance; the child really wants their independence, they can do it all by themselves. But eventually the parent notices a tiny hand reaching to theirs, feeling the hand clinging hard to the comfort of another.  There are times when life just seems almost overwhelming; COVID19 and the resultant restrictions are bad enough but then other life struggles happen at unexpected times.  Health declines, loss of loved ones happen, financial resources become scarce; but all the while the powerful, loving hand of Jesus has never let go of you. The word of the Savior promising “I am with you now, even to the end of the age” strengthens your resolve not to fear, because God is with you, and will be forever more.  A golf instructor once told me one of the most important parts of a golf swing is a good grip. One of the most important things to remember about life is the good grip God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, has on you; it will never let you go and will guide you all along the way.

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor

Fields United Methodist Church