Where is the disconnect? Why do I keep fearing what will come in the future or what will happen on a hard day when I have seen evidence in the lives of others AND even my own life that God is faithful. He is close. He has carried me through all of my life and He won't drop me now. This morning I was praying and telling the Lord that I'm clinging to Him and the Truth that He has been walking the mountains and the valleys with me thus far and based on that and what I read in His Word, I don't see Him letting me go. A picture that came to mind was of a parent holding their small toddler. From birth, when a devoted father picks up his child, he holds them tight. Somewhere along the way, the child realizes that when they feel uncertain, they can throw their arms around Daddy’s neck and hang on. When they feel a rush of love, squeeze tight. Sometimes they even push their nose and eyes onto his chest to hide from someone or something. That devoted Daddy never loosens his grip. He holds fast to his beloved child.
I once had a disagreement with a flight attendant on their policy of holding my baby during take-off. She insisted that if something happened, I would release my arms and drop the baby. I disagreed vehemently based on my own experiences. Once such experience was when Miss B was a baby of about 8 months. I was walking in the kitchen carrying my sweet baby girl and suddenly my feet were flying out from under me because of some water the cat had spilled on the tile floor. I had no idea what was happening, but my instinct was to wrap my arms more tightly around her. I suffered some injury, but she was completely safe in my arms. Gone was the instinct to throw out my arms and brace my fall. It was replaced by the greater instinct to protect the one I love.
I'm so grateful that the Lord has shown me this as I've been typing this morning. He is he perfect daddy. In Hebrew, he is Abba, the term for daddy. He will hold me fast. I do not need to rehearse the text of fear in my mind, but rather the truth of Isaiah 41:10,
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Indeed, HE will hold me fast!
This song is such a comfort because it's full of so much Truth!
~meredith
(All Scripture quoted from the English Standard Version)