A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

Psalm 73:23, “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.”  When my children were growing up one of our favorite places to vacation was Walt Disney World.  I remember, however, a particularly challenging experience we encountered during our very first visit.  We had enjoyed an awesome first day at Magic Kingdom and were poised along Main Street to witness the magnificent fireworks display that closes the park each evening.  At the conclusion of the fireworks, as if responding to some silent command, suddenly, in unison, the thousands of people in attendance began the push toward the main gates.  Pam and I instinctively grabbed the hands of the children and began moving with the crowd.  My daughter became frightened and started to cry.  “Daddy, daddy, I’m scared!” she exclaimed tearfully.  “Why are you scared, honey?  You’re at Disney World,” I said, trying to calm her.  “I can’t see where I’m going,” she replied.  “You don’t have to see where you’re going,Jessica,” I said, “All you have to do is hold onto my hand.”  She held on tightly.  As she did, her fear subsided.  She no longer became focused on the massive crowd, but on my face.  A smile replaced her tears.  From that time forward, she understood that when she was in a place where she could not see above the crowd to find her way, all she had to do was keep her hand in mine.  Our Scripture lesson today reinforces that theme.  There are times in life when we can’t see “above the crowd.”  We feel lost. But we must understand that even when we do not know which direction to take, as long as He is holding our hand, we are not lost.  It is His presence that calms our fears and it is His hand that ensures we are guided along the right path.  My family and I followed up that vacation with many more to Disney World—and other magnificent places.  But my daughter never felt lost again because of her father’s strong and loving grip.  It is the assurance of the grip of His grace that can give us the security we need, to navigate our way through every circumstance life may bring and usher us safely into the peace of each new day.