Do you ever feel like you are going under? Sinking into an abyss? 

As a matter of fact, I feel this now. I’ll spare you the details, but the suffering of people around me is fueling a distressing tempest. 

Brokenness. Bondage. Blindness, not to mention the collateral damage from these, is formidable and far-reaching. 

Storms are common in today’s waters. But every now and then, circumstances converge into a perfect storm of physical, personal, and spiritual chaos. 

This too will pass—I realize—but in the midst of the tumult, I called out from the cacophony and said, “Father! Do you have any guidance for me? Is there something from your vantage point I can relay to my friends?” 

“I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, / I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, / And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, / As a light to the nations, / To open blind eyes, / To bring out prisoners from the dungeon / And those who dwell in darkness from the prison” (Is. 42:6-7). 

Notice that second line of Scripture again. In the direst of situations, nothing will do but to hold hands. 

Dianne and I held hands with our friends this weekend at the hospital. We cried. We lacked words. We groaned. Even men, when facing a swollen river or formidable foe hold hands. The men I meet with on Wednesday morning have held hands around the conference table and prayed together each week for eighteen years. 

Father holds our hand and watches over us in the dire distress of life.

And to what end does He do this? In other words, why? That's next.