Thoughts for the Day

Our steps are made firm by the Lord,
when he delights in our way;
though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand....

Depart from evil, and do good;
so you shall abide for ever.
For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his faithful ones.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Do you remember holding your parent's hand when you were a child? Or do you remember saying to a child "Hold my hand" as you cross the road, or the way becomes rough? It's an automatic response to keep a child safe when we're out and about. There is also something so reassuring to hold another person's hand, as I realised when holding my husband's hand in the years of his dementia.

Psalm 37 is actually a Sermon, or a teaching psalm, written for our instruction. We are like children who must be taught about God who is our Father. We are reminded that God will be there at all times to guide us and to keep us safe when things are difficult, so that even if we fall we shall not harm ourselves, because he is guiding our footsteps - he is holding our hand, if you like.

And because like any child, we admire our parent and want them to be proud of us, so we will want to obey God's words and "depart from evil and do good".

Heavenly Father,
we know that You are with us always,
even when the way is difficult and rough.
Help us not to stumble at this time of testing,
when life is so strange,
and we cannot be with loved ones.
Keep us mindful of others and help us to be
constant in trusting You.
Amen.