GOD’S UPHOLDING HAND (2)

“My soul follows close behind You; YOUR RIGHT HAND UPHOLDS ME” – Psalm 63:8

Every soul that earnestly pursues the Divine is assured of GOD’S UPHOLDING HAND: “My soul follows close behind You; YOUR RIGHT HAND UPHOLDS ME” (Psa.63:8). David’ soul was engaged in divine pursuit: “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water” (v.1). Yet, this pursuit required all the support of God. We’re enjoined to follow God with all our hearts and souls; to cling to Him as though our very lives depend on it. As we draw closer to Him, even amidst pressures or trials, He will uphold us with His right hand, and we would experience His peace and joy. God encourages us: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I WILL UPHOLD you with MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND’” (Isa.41:10).

Pursuit implies desire! Spiritual desire lies at the foundation of spiritual pursuit. Were there no object to obtain, there would be no purpose in the pursuit. Spiritual longing or heavenly craving arises from the quickening work of the Holy Spirit in the soul. Until we are divinely enlightened to see, and spiritually quickened to appreciate our need for redemption, revival, renewal, and righteousness, we may feel satisfied with the things of time, matter, and sense; our hearts steeped in the world; our affections fixed on the poor perishing vanities that must quickly pass away. But when the Lord sends light and life into the conscience, to show us to ourselves in our true colours, and to “see light in God’s light,” then spiritual passion is ignited (Psa.36:9). He alone can fully satiate the deepest craving and desires of the heart!

The quickened soul does not only follow after the blessings of pardon, righteousness, and grace, but the ardent object of its pursuit is God Himself: “my soul clings to YOU” (v.8b, NIV)! Paul said: “I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phi.3:8b). Rather than engage in a slothful pursuit, we must intensely long to clasp Christ in the arms of faith, embrace Him with spiritual affection, and be mutually loved and embraced by Him. To follow “hard” signifies intensity of pursuit, with eagerness and ardor: “As the deer pants for the water-brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…” (Psa.42: 1-2a).

Knowing that impediments and obstacles are inevitable in the arduous pursuit of the divine, the Psalmist reassured himself in God, “Your right hand upholds me” (v.8b). These words imply the need for divine strength to commence, continue, and complete the pursuit without a natural tendency to deadness and coldness of soul. God’s Upholding Hand deals with Unbelief that threatens to paralyze spiritual faculties. His Right Hand weakens the power of unbelief, by kindling and communicating faith, to press on. God’s Upholding Hand defeats doubts, fears, apprehensions, suspicions, and despondency that burden the soul and try to impede it from running the set race. Finally, the hand of the Almighty delivers from carnality, worldliness, presumption, and earthly affections which dampen the soul’s earnest pursuit after God!

The Lord upholds the righteous no matter the number of falls: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD UPHOLDS him with HIS HAND” (Psa.37: 24-25);“The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down” (Psa.145:14). The wise man wrote: “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again…” (Pro.24:16a). The Pathway of Righteousness is strewn with afflictions, trials, and temptations: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psa.34:19). But in upholding us with His Hand, we’re empowered to uphold others: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, UPHOLD the weak, be patient with all” (1The.5:14).