Hold His Hand – The Presidential Prayer Team

I love you, O Lord, my strength. – Psalm 18:1

In 2 Samuel chapter 22, David’s song of praise and acknowledgment of God’s hand in his deliverance from King Saul and victory over the Philistines is recorded. David made revisions and gave the song to the chief musician in Psalm 18. God had shown Himself to be a strong defender of the young king, and David was quick to acknowledge it.

In 1501, artist and sculptor Michelangelo was commissioned to sculpt David for the cathedral at Florence. The artist was a master of proportions, but the right hand of the young David is clearly larger than his left. Some suggest it is because David’s nickname was “strong hand,” although his name in Hebrew means “beloved.” A nineteenth-century Murray’s Guide for tourists in Florence suggested Michelangelo might have borrowed from Isaiah 41:13 in making the right hand of David larger: “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand: It is I who say to you, ‘Fear not. I am the one who helps you.’”

Whatever the rationale behind the emphasis on the right hand of David, it is essential to remember that the right hand of God Himself occurs in Scripture, often in Messianic prophecies. Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father since His post-resurrection ascension into heaven. It is from that exalted position that Jesus makes intercession for the believers (Romans 8:34). All blessing and authority, safety, and power come from God’s right hand.

Hymn writer E.S. Lorenz wrote, “Everlasting arms of love enfold me. Words of peace the voice divine has told me; I am safe, while God himself doth hold me, In the hollow of his hand.” Thank the Lord today for all His Hand has provided. As you firmly hold His hand, pray for leaders to be guided and protected by God’s right hand as they place their reliance on Him.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 18:1

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 18:31-46

For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
³²the God who equipped me with strength
    and made my way blameless.
³³He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.
³⁴He trains my hands for war,
    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    and your right hand supported me,
    and your gentleness made me great.
³⁶You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
    and my feet did not slip.
³⁷I pursued my enemies and overtook them,
    and did not turn back till they were consumed.
³⁸I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise;
    they fell under my feet.
³⁹For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
    you made those who rise against me sink under me.
⁴⁰You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
    and those who hated me I destroyed.
⁴¹They cried for help, but there was none to save;
    they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
⁴²I beat them fine as dust before the wind;
    I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

⁴³You delivered me from strife with the people;
    you made me the head of the nations;
    people whom I had not known served me.
⁴⁴As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
    foreigners came cringing to me.
⁴⁵Foreigners lost heart
    and came trembling out of their fortresses.

⁴⁶The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
    and exalted be the God of my salvation—