Our Strong Hand and God's Right Hand

“Nevertheless, I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand.” (Psalms 73:23)

Asaph who was one of David’s chief musicians wrote this psalm. He had a problem understanding how the wicked could prosper. He thought of all the things he’d done for righteousness sakes and thought it was in vain. He hadn’t gained anything. Then he realized that their end is destruction. He repented when he realized that they are headed for destruction and it’s the greatness of God toward him that is keeping him from destruction. He states, “So foolish was I, and I did not know; I was like a beast before You.” (Psalms 73:22) The word beast that he used in the Hebrew means dumb animal. Asaph realized he wasn’t thinking and was like a dumb animal before God, not realizing the goodness of God toward him.

Even though Asaph was like a senseless dumb animal before God, he realized God didn’t leave him. God was still faithful to His promises for the righteous, those who kept the Law, because remember, this was before the New Covenant. Even though he sinned thinking evil of God’s way, God didn’t leave him. In the original Hebrew the words he used, “I am continually with thee” meaning “but I continue with You.” God continued to be with him and more over held him by his right hand. Like a father who cares for the safety of his child will hold his child’s hand, God held him in safety by his strong hand so he wouldn’t slip and fall into destruction. The Lord allowed him to skip over the danger and brought him on the other side of danger.

In our lives, we do see the wicked prosper. They prosper through their wicked ways. And some of the brethren are perturbed about this. It reminds me of Peter when Jesus told him how he would end his life on earth. “Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, Lord, and what of this one?” (John 21:21) We are so concerned about others and for what God has planned for others. But it has nothing to do with what God’s plans are for us.

The end of the sinner is destruction. They are enjoying the things of this world, but in eternity they will suffer devastation. But let’s not think that this is what God wants. God loves the sinner. “But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God wants the sinner to repent of his sins to receive forgiveness. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. “The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9) Peter proclaims: “Therefore repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19) Some even wish the sinner bad will. But we should think the opposite. Yes, they are enjoying the best this world has to offer, but if they don’t repent, that is all they will receive. David wrote of the wicked, “But the wicked shall pass, and the enemies of Jehovah shall be like the beauty of pastures; they are consumed, like smoke they perish.” (Psalms 37:20) He wrote of the righteous, “Though he fall, he shall not be cast down; for Jehovah upholds his hand.” (Psalms 37:24)

Asaph wrote that God held him by his strong hand. That implies that man has to cling to God. The Lord doesn’t hold us by our weak hand that cannot do anything, but by our strong hand. There is something our hand has to do and that is to not let go. With all our strength, we must hold on to God’s hand and not let go. “My soul follows hard after You; Your right hand upholds me.” (Psalms 63:8) Not only do we not let go, but the Lord holds us by His right hand. It’s the hand of righteousness, justice and prosperity. “Do not fear; for I am with you; be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will make you strong; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10) And He will never let go of us. “And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)

To summarize, when we see the wicked prosper, we should not envy them or think it’s unfair because of their wicked ways. They are heading to destruction. What we should do is pray for them. The Lord wants them to repent. They need an intercessor who will pray for their eternity. The righteous are kept by God’s right hand. He will not let go of us.  He holds our strong hand so that we won’t let go of Him either.