The Unseen Hand

For a number of years, a large black and white portrait of me was displayed inside my childhood home.  Regardless of the many houses we lived in, that picture could be found along with other family photographs either hanging on a wall or else sitting on top of a table somewhere in the house; many times in a prominent location to afford guests the opportunity to view it as well.  
 
In this picture, a months-old chubby me is sitting upright on some type of thick towel-like material that had been arranged in such a way that a wide mound of it was immediately behind me.  I always thought that it was the photographer’s way to add further dimension or interest to
the picture.  It was not until many years later as my mother and I sat talking around the kitchen table that she shared the story of the events surrounding this photographic session. 
 
The photographer had wanted me placed in a specific pose, yet I was still too young to sit upright on my own.  To get the effect he wanted, the photographer had my mother place her hand underneath the mounded material behind me to steady me and give me support long enough for the camera shutter to be snapped.   Her hand is not visible to anyone who views the end result, yet her unseen steadying presence made me appear stronger than I was.

God’s unseen hand does the same for His children as my mother’s hand did for me in the  photograph.  He strengthens and helps us.

Isaiah 41:10 “I [God] will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

He watches over and guides us.

Psalms 32:8  “I [God] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”

And He cushions us from the jagged parts of reality that threaten to harm us.

Psalm 32:7 “You [God] are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

While we may not be able to see His hand in our current situation, we have the assurance that He is always with us.

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

If we really take a look back to the times when we have come through difficult circumstances, we can see the evidence of God’s Hand in these many situations that we have encountered and have somehow – impossibly – come through only because of the strength, protection and guidance He steadily gives us.


THE UNSEEN HAND
By A.J. Sims

There is an Unseen Hand to me
That leads thru ways I cannot see
While going through this world of woe
This hand still leads me as I go.

I’m trusting to The Unseen Hand
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day I’ll reach that strand
Still guided by The Unseen Hand

His hand has led through shadows drear
And while it leads I have no fear
I know t’will lead me to that home
Where sin nor sorrows e’er can come.

I’m trusting to The Unseen Hand
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day I’ll reach that strand
Still guided by The Unseen Hand

I long to see my Saviors face
And sing the story saved by grace
And there upon that golden strand
I’ll praise Him for His guiding hand.

I’m trusting to The Unseen Hand
That guides me through this weary land
And some sweet day I’ll reach that strand
Still guided by The Unseen Hand


This assurance of His unseen hand is available to you, too.  The choice is yours.  He’s waiting for you.


(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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