As I read Psalm 40:2 NIV “He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud & mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm foundation.” I visualize a hand reaching down to me and saying “take my hand.” You know like the ones in the movies when the person is hanging off the cliff or the side of the building. They have to let go and grab the other person’s hand. I’m yelling, “Reach for his hand!”
But they do something I have yet to understand. They look down. Why is that? Why do they look down? Are they trying to decide if letting go will be better? Are they saying to themselves, “Oh, I can probably make it, it’s not that far of a fall? I’ll just do this myself?” I’m yelling, “Reach for his hand!”
When I find myself in the middle of a mess (my edge of the cliff), I think I sometimes do the same thing. I look down at my mess. My heart is yelling, “Reach for His hand!”
But I look at the problem and think, “Oh, I can probably handle this myself. I’m capable, strong, independent woman. I got this God.” Often too as I “handle” it myself, I realize too late what more of a mess I made of things. By letting my emotions guide me. By letting my mouth go unchecked. By trying to make things work out my way. If I would have just “reached for His hand!”
Let go of the problem and let God help me with it. Direct me. Guide me through it. I would be so much better off. But He is merciful. He is a loving God. He continues to reach down to me and offer His hand.
When I reach for His hand. He lifts me up. He sets my feet on a rock and gives me a firm foundation.
He is the rock I stand on. He is the firm foundation my life is being built on.
I feel secure, safe and steady. As I reach for His hand, I realize I am still a capable, strong, independent woman. In fact, I am learning I am stronger, because He gives me the strength to reach for His hand!
But it was a choice. It is always a choice. Reach for His hand!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for always being there to lift me up. Help me to reach for Your hand knowing that your way is best. You will always set my feet on your firm foundation. In Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.