The backseat giggles warmed my heart. While my husband climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with Compassion International, I savored extra days with our two sponsored children. Hilda (six) and Goodluck (five) shared a seat and provided entertainment as we bounced along the roads in Tanzania.
Following visits to their modest homes and a lunch of chicken and rice, our group of eight squeezed into a vehicle to travel to our next destination. I wanted to bless the children with a new pair of shoes and an article of clothing, so with my guide’s permission, we headed toward the local market. It was time to shop.
The vibrant colors and dense crowds signaled our arrival. The marketplace buzzed with activity and unfamiliar Swahili. As we approached the vendors, my Tanzanian guide turned to me and said, “I need to hold your hand.” His expression conveyed the seriousness behind his statement as he took my hand in his.
Concerned for my safety in this busy public arena, my guide offered his hand in love and I accepted it in faith. Without question or hesitation, I trusted. He knew I needed to fit in and his gesture provided validation. My guide became my protector as we moved through the market, hand in hand.
When unforeseen dangers loom, our Protector whispers, I need to hold your hand. God sees the complete picture. He is already present in our future: our next minutes, hours, and all our tomorrows. He sees what we cannot and offers His hand in protection.
Throughout God’s Holy pages, brave women stepped out in faith grasping God’s protecting hand. Hannah prayed for a miracle, Abigail orchestrated an intervention, and Ruth gleaned in foreign fields. With God as their Protector, Deborah charged into battle, Rahab hid the spies, and Queen Esther approached the King. Their faith tethered them to God and they proceeded, hand in hand.
When we enter spiritual battles against an enemy who seeks to destroy, we are never alone. Though darkness, despair, and doubt threaten, our confidence rests in God’s protecting hands.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
Psalm 138:7 (NIV)
Inside the market stalls, I moved to the background and watched through joy-filled eyes. The children stared wide-eyed at the display of clothes and shoes. Goodluck’s aunt helped him select a pink shirt while Hilda and her mother chose a lovely red dress. Both ladies preferred dress shoes for the children — a sturdy, more practical choice.
Bartering completed and shopping bags in hand, we returned to the vehicle. Beaming faces filled my heart with precious memories and praises of protection.
Six days later, the Compassion Team returned from their mountaintop experience at 19,341 feet. Pictures revealed the beauty from the top of Africa as they shared stories of God’s protecting hand throughout their journey. Deep in my heart, I cherished the memories from my ground level view of Africa: bright smiles, easy giggles, warm hugs, and new shoes. All made possible by God’s protecting hands.
I need to hold your hand. When I hear those words in a holy whisper or in a busy Tanzanian market, I know my Protector is near. He offers His hand in love; I accept it by faith. Together, we proceed, hand in hand.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Though darkness, despair, and doubt threaten, our confidence rests in God’s protecting hands. -Krista Lynn Campbell: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
I’ve never thought of God’s “righteous right hand” in such a concrete way before, Krista, but your experience has put flesh and bones into that verse for me, and I’m grateful.
Thanks for all you do.
Hi, Michele. Thank you for your kind words. All praise to God for His mighty protection.
Krista,
What a powerful testimony to God’s protective hands. Impending trials make us doubt & despair. We should turn right to God for He is there waiting to hold our hands & guide us out of the situation. We should always trust in the Lord. Several times in the Bible it says “do not fear; do not be afraid.” Why? For the Lord your God is with you always. Just reach up & take His righteous right hand, hold on tight. He will be your deliverer. I remember one time driving home from college with dad. My car started making noises & acting up. We stopped in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Spent the night got up on Saturday & found a car dealership of varying models. We drove to service side & asked them to look at it. Fortunately it was just a wire not connected. They didn’t charge us anything. I know God had his hand in that.
Blessings 🙂
Hi, Beth. Thank you for sharing your story of God’s protecting hands. Blessings to you!
Krista Lynn, this is so beautifully written! I love how you connected your experience with those we know and love from
Scriptures . Oh, how very faithful he is to his daughters. Thank you for sharing this!
Hi Marnie,
Thank you for your sweet words. Praise God for His faithfulness and His protecting hands.
Blessings!
Hello Krista,
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of God’s loving hands that protect us through challenging times. Such good truth to hold on to!
Love and blessings,
Joyce
Hi, Joyce!
We’ve witnessed God’s protecting hands through some tough times. Thanks for always standing with me.
Love and hugs!
Krista, needed to hear this today.. I feel like this grief never cease and every time I think I am truly getting better, some little memories hit me and I am left with tears flowing as if I was taken back in time. I try my best to have a positive viewpoint and I know in my heart that she, my bestie would not want me to feel so sad with grief but goodness it is hard some days. So yes today Lord, I Need Your Hand to pull me out of this grief. Thank you for this reminder Krista.. Greatly needed.
Dear Maylee, I am sorry for your grief and I will remember you in my prayers today. May you feel God’s arms holding you as you walk through the valley together.
Blessings!