Scripture
I have set Yahweh continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
~Psalm 16:8, LSB
Quote
To know Jesus is saving grace, to know Him better is sanctifying grace, and to know Him completely is heavenly grace.
~Ya’akov {Adapted from a John Newton quote}
When you see the term ‘Right Hand’ in the book of Psalms, it is almost always a reference to Jesus. There are exceptions, but generally the right arm and hand are dominant. There are odd cases where people are equally skilled from both sides. We call this ambidextrous. Our oldest daughter Hannah writes with her left hand but threw a softball with the right. Most people favor the right; thus the term right hand became synonymous with strength or power. David said in Psalm 138, “Though I walk in the midst of distress, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” Psalm 118:6, the first of the Hallel Psalms reads, “The right hand of Yahweh is exalted; The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.” The NET bible reads, “The LORD’s right hand gives victory, the LORD’s right hand conquers.” Jesus is God the Father’s right hand Man. God’s wondrous plan to save us from ourselves and sin is a Man, the Man Christ Jesus. Paul told Timothy, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” {1 Timothy 2:5} The One man that God the Father can depend on is the Son of man, the Lord Jesus incarnate.
When David was battling depression in the cave, he cried out to God, Look to the right and see! No one cares about me. I have nowhere to run; no one is concerned about my life. The ancient warriors carried their shield with their left hand and had their weapon in the right hand. This meant they had no protection from the right side unless there was another soldier to their right. Without someone to your right, your were vulnerable. The expression we use today is “Who has your back.” In other words, we need someone to protect our weak side. David had his moments of doubt but generally speaking, he was confident that Yahweh had his weak side. I have been in ministry for 54 years and I know beyond a doubt that Jesus has been at my right side. I have doubted my salvation more than my call to preach but the one area where I have no doubt is GRACE: Jesus protecting my weak side. I can promise you that Satan and his servants would have destroyed me long ago if not for divine protection from Jesus and His angels. I am in full agreement with John Newton, “It is GRACE that has brought me this far and it will be GRACE that leads me home.”
Extra
Don’t kid yourself; everyone and every family has problems. They may vary in nature but no one is problem free. In our pride, we pretend to have it all together but in truth, Jesus was the only human who was fully integrated. He definitely had it all together but we don’t. Admitting this truth is the first step to recovery. Those who refuse, in their pride, to make this confession, never make progress. They are like the Israelites in the wilderness, alive physically but dead to the service of God. They are not Elves on a shelf, they are sinners on a shelf. My goal is to burn out, not rust out. Father help me be humble and obedient.
Well, they are predicting a hot day and I have one outdoor project which I am going to try to complete before it gets 95 degrees. I think I got the visitation time wrong for Willowdean Sandlin. Visitation is 9:30-11:00. Prayer partners, I expect some support tomorrow. I found out yesterday that Willowdean was Michael’s 2nd grade teacher. She taught at Crestline for years. She was a very intelligent and well read person. Until she got sick, I called her our Minister at Summerford. She went room to room encouraging others.
Jennifer Garner is at home but has a long way to go in terms of full recovery. She is glad to be home!
Have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.