April 25 - Reading 23: Psalms 73-74

“You hold me by my right hand. (Psalm 73:23b)

Sometimes, as adults, we feel we should be responsible for all things. It feels appropriate to worry, to try to control everything. But Jesus says that we need to become like little children if we want to see the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). He didn’t mean we should become childish, acting immaturely or irresponsibly. He meant we should become childlike in trusting our Heavenly Father.

Let’s take a moment to think back on our days as a child. Can we remember a special time when we were just walking hand in hand with a parent or trusted adult? Let’s pull up that moment, complete with all its emotion, and dwell on it for a bit.

We probably were skipping along, joyful and content to be wherever we were at that moment. We didn’t have a care in the world. We weren’t worried about tomorrow; we didn’t carry any guilt about yesterday’s mistakes. We felt we could trust that we would be protected and provided for, and that was all it took to be content.

That’s exactly the image described in Psalm 73. The writer rejoices that the Lord is near Him at all times, holding him by the hand. Therefore, he can confidently say of the Lord “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24).

What a marvelous visual of the truth. As we walk hand in hand with Him, He will lead us through each day until He takes us to glory. We just need to remind ourselves to stay connected to Him, our Vine, and turn to Him in child-like trust, especially when we are afraid.

If we are fighting fear of anxiety today, let’s just lift up our hand to Him and commit to hold on. As we intercede, let’s welcome His presence, allowing His peace and His strength to fill our trembling souls. Let’s choose to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) until He takes us to glory, where we will be with Him fr all eternity.