You Never Let Go!

For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart. I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.       Psalm 73:21-28 (WEB)

Yesterday we sang my favorite song during worship, “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman. Because of copyright laws, I cannot reproduce these song lyrics in an internet posting and mass email, but if you are not familiar with this song I hope you will go to this link and be blessed by those inspired words.

Like the psalmist, Matt Redman expresses the relationship that can be between me and my Lord! There is the intense pain and despair that characterizes those seasons in my life where the storms have become hurricanes. Bruised and battered, I raise my fist in frustration even to the One who stands firm in the waves.

Like the child who falls into a pit, I am not looking to another ‘pit dweller’ to lift me out of the slime. It is the One in heaven, my Creator and my Savior, only He gives hope and strength and courage in the face of what seems to be overwhelming forxfire from all sides.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not bow my head in thanksgiving to my Lord. He is there every step of the way. Jesus never, never lets go of my hand.

Last week, God spoke to me through the writing of one of our authors, Allan Bevere. In his upcoming book, Character of our Discontent, he shares a sermon on the story of Samson. (I don’t think I have ever heard a sermon using Samson!) The point I got was that God has a plan and purpose for my life and He gives (abundantly) the gifts I need to fulfill this purpose. Do I use these gifts or treat them frivolously? On Thursday as I drove to work I felt the Lord’s conviction that I had been given an opportunity to spread God’s love and encouragement to a group of people that do not see or receive unconditional love. I have not been carrying that gift well in the last year. I made the decision to take up that gift again. Less than 30 minutes later, I was lying on the ground outside my work building – after tripping on some uneven ground that had tripped three other employees this year. God never left my side. My injuries were minimal and my time through the E.R. was swift and pleasant!

It could be said that an attempt was made to divert me from the path to which I had chosen to return. But I know my Lord was with me and I will not step from His path; step from His side. Lord, You never let go of me!