When I was in my 20’s I did some rock climbing. I was by no means an expert, but I do remember well the challenge of climbing up a rock cliff. The hand holds can be really challenging and inconveniently placed! I remember clearly one day when we were climbing, I was stuck halfway up. The climbing coach yelled to me “ there is a foot hold by your left ear”. Now, that sounded impossible! I did make it up to the top, though I do not know how I did it!

As I was praying this morning, I had an image of someone being stuck halfway up a rock cliff. It was a high cliff and how to keep going seemed impossible. The next hand hold was nowhere to be seen. Then I felt led to read Psalm 63. These two verses stuck out to me:

“Because you are my help, I will sing in the shadow of your wings. I will cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:7-8

It is one thing to be climbing up alone and another thing to have God Almighty with a firm grip on you. He leads us, encourages us, and He gives us strength we did not have before as it is His strength!

I love the thought that while we find ourselves in these difficult climbs, we can sing songs of praise and thanksgiving because our Father is with us. He does not get tired. His strength does not diminish. He does not get bored of our struggle. He is with us, inch by inch, hand hold by hand hold. He loves us and is cheering for us. He is not in despair as we climb. He is not afraid of the great height- He knows the way up and we can trust Him.

Some challenges will always be greater than others. We need someone who will hold tight to us as fear can be close by, threatening to stop us or cause us to give up. I am thankful that God gives us wisdom as we climb, and that we are secure, not because of the ropes that we are tied by but, because we are in His firm grip. Rest in His firm grip today. He has You.

Dear Father,

Thank You for the firm grip You have on me. Thank You that I do not need to fear, but that I can look to You for strength and for wisdom. You know what I am facing today. I ask that You give me what is needed today.

In Jesus Name,

Amen