"Grip"

I’ve noticed getting older,

My hands and fingers changed,

Joints and knuckles swollen,

And sometimes get enflamed.

Some nights when I am sleeping,

Old hands jolt me awake,

And that’s when that old Advil,

I’m certain I will take.

I still can swing a hammer,

Hold the reins and twirl a rope,

But my grip ain’t what it once was,

And I can’t deny it, nope.

But that Is why I’m thankful,

God’s got ahold of me,

Does not depend on my grip,

Or how strong I am, you see.

The grip of grace still has me,

The Lord will not let go,

He says nothing can snatch me,

The Bible tells me so.

So if your grip has weakened,

And you grab with all your might,

Just remember Jesus has you,

And He with you day and night.

And when you feel the weakest,

No doubt His strength He’ll give,

The grip of grace is steady,

And the only way to live.

“12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” (Hebrews 12:12-13, NLT)

The writer of Hebrews has been talking about the discipline we endure as children of God. He says when we go through those times we can expect to harvest the “peaceful fruit of righteousness.” But the process can wear you out! That’s why it’s necessary to take a fresh grip, and depend upon the grip of the Lord to keep us on track. He graces us with everything we need to meet the challenge of the day. Jesus said that He gives eternal life to His sheep and “no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28) It’s good to know.

Lord, help us rely on Your grip, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt, used by permission. Thanks, Robert, and God bless you.