Holding Tightly

"The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms;" 

Deuteronomy 33:27a

The stories out of our area the past week have been tragic and inspiring.

A major tornado hit Joplin, MO and a very strong tornado hit tiny Deering, AR. In both cases, our town was threatened by tornadoes that didn't hit, but the winds here made me realize just how amazingly powerful the nearby tornado winds must have been. In both those towns, stories emerged of parents desperately hanging onto children to save their lives. In one case, a nurse grabbed a 4-year-old at a hospital as he was being sucked into the tornado's vacuum pull. In two other cases, moms died while shielding their children who miraculously survived.

Today, driving back from a visit to a family member in the hospital, I was listening to the radio and the song "Never Let Go" came on (video and lyrics below). Suddenly I was overwhelmed with the reality of what it means that God is holding on to me through all the storms of life. That He never lets go. While I certainly hold onto Him for dear life, like those children in the tornados, I will never, ever have the strength to be the one whose grip remains certain. My hands are too tiny, my strongest grasp far too weak and easily pulled away by the suction of the storms that come my way. But He is holding on to me. His grip is perfect. He will never let go. He covers me with His protective, shielding arms of love ... hands strong enough to keep me from leaving His grasp, shoulders big enough for me to cry on, and arms to catch me when I fall. Always,always with the reminder that when He died for me on the cross, He was protecting me from the biggest storm of all.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You