The Hands of the Lord

The past few weeks have been rough. Feeling really lonely and confused. Questioning things that happened and words that were said. But, as I’ve said before, I have found so much peace in the Lord. And lately, that peace has been found while thinking about the hands of the Lord.

For me, especially when going through a hard time, I find a song or two and just cling to them. Usually worship songs, and they bring some sort of hope and encouragement. And I do this a lot. I could pick out songs that represent a certain time period in my life, whether grief or joy. And this time in my life is no exception. The two songs I have had on repeat lately are “Safe” by Phil Wickham and “Your Hands” by JJ Heller. Here are the (modified) lyrics to both:

“Safe” by Phil Wickham

To the one who’s dreams are falling all apart

And all you’re left with is a tired and broken heart

I can tell by your eyes you think you’re on your own

But you’re not alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas

Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet

With a love so strong, it’ll never let you go

Oh you’re not alone

You will be safe in His arms

You will be safe in His arms

Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart

This is the promise He made

He will be with you always

When everything is falling apart

You will be safe in His arms

These are the hands that built the mountains

The hands that calm the seas

These are the arms that hold the heavens

They’re holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper

Pulled the lame up to their feet

These are the arms that were nailed to a cross

To break our chains and set us free

 

“Your Hands” by JJ Heller

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn’t there

And I have asked a thousand ways

That You would take my pain away

That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand

How to walk this weary land

Make straight the paths that crookedly lie

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking

Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth

You healed the broken, lost, and hurt

I know You hate to see me cry

One day You will set all things right

Yeah, one day You will set all things right

Your hands

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

In that first Phil Wickham song, I love that line that says “The hands that hold the world are holding your heart.” Think about that.

We serve a God that is holding our hearts. He is in control of the heavens, the oceans, the mountains, and all creatures on this Earth. He holds all those things in His hands, and in the midst of it all is our hearts. Our precious hearts that He treasures so deeply.

It’s been a tough month on hearts. Not just for me, but for multiple people around me. But even when it feels so hopeless, so hard to process everything that has changed, so overwhelming to just get through the day, what comfort we have. The King of Kings is holding our hearts in His hands.

I also love this JJ Heller song. God never promised our lives would be easy. Especially as dedicated Christians who are desperately striving to follow Him and live the life He’s called us to. He said it would be hard. That we would have to pick up our cross to follow Him. And she alludes to that in this song. But, in the midst of all the hardship, we will never leave His hands. His hands are holding us still.  I think that’s one of my favorite parts of the song. I know for me, when I’m dealing with something, my heart is all over the place. Very up and down emotionally, trying to process it all, trying to fix it even though the only “fixing” that can occur is time, hoping that I’ll wake up and it will all just go away or go back to normal…my heart just goes on overdrive. But Jesus is holding our hearts. He’s holding them still, just like the verse says. To be still and know that He is God. Even in heartache, He is God and wants us to just be still with Him.

I don’t know what it is about the imagery of hands right now. Why I love it so much or what the power is behind it. But knowing that I am being held and am safe in the Lord’s hands…that’s all I could ask for.