Lord take my hand and lead me
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
November 4, 1998
Martha! Every time I think of Martha, I think of a couple of Scripture verses. Martha was one who could be just as sweet as can be. She is also someone who was not afraid to sound off her feelings and often called people to let them know. So whenever I think of Martha I think first of all of Jesus’ words to another Martha on one of his visits: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.”
Now doesn’t that sound like our friend? That is so typical of how she communicated to me, always worried and upset about something, just like the Martha Jesus visited.
On the other hand, when I think of Martha, I also think of Martha’s words to Jesus just before he raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. He had said this to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this.” Listen carefully to her response. “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” What a statement of faith. It’s just like some of the statements I have heard my friend, Martha, make on some of my visits to her. Let me tell you, it brings great joy to my heart when I hear such a confession of faith from the heart and lips of people.
But, perhaps there is no one else who stirred my emotions more than this elderly lady whom, I am convinced, loved the Lord God. Yes, she at times sounded bitter and ornery. But those were only external things that tried to hide a very tender and delicate soul from more pain and grief.
I will never forget how one day I read the 23rd Psalm from the New International Version of the bible. Martha let me know right away that that was just a little different than her bible said it. She had so much Braille literature that she ran out of space to keep them all. Bibles, and much devotional material made up the most of it. Some of her books were literally worn out from use. On every visit she would say, “I like reading about this stuff.” And, I truly believe she did. Sometimes, we even compared notes on a text from my translation and hers. She knew when there was something wrong in the wording. That’s why she said something about the 23rd Psalm. She had obviously learned it from the King James Version and had it memorized. She would always recite it with me, if I read the KJV, which I always tried to do.
Martha took a great deal of comfort from that psalm. Because of her blindness, I think it was especially meaningful to her as though through it she could see the Lord leading her by the hand.
You see, that’s the kind of God we have. He is not ashamed to come to us with any and all of our weaknesses and take our hand and lead us. And when Martha would say that first verse from memory it was with special emphasis that she said “is”.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He knows exactly what each of us needs, and He provides. Jehovah Jairah, The Lord Provides. Even when it seems contrary to fact, the Lord our Shepherd is there with us to lead us.
He knows where the most select grazing land is for his sheep, and he takes us there, in His Word.
He knows where the water is that makes a thirsty soul satisfied. He brings us to the most important things we need to sustain us, in this life and the next. Especially, freedom for the soul, forgiveness of sin, release from guilt, true righteousness, and eternal life. And he does all this for His own Names sake. That is, he does it for the sake of Jesus Christ.
I know that we like to think that God does things for our sake. Just think about what that would mean. It would mean that we would have to be perfect in every way, just as he is perfect. Otherwise, we just couldn’t be sure that God was really on our side. But, when he makes us lie down in green pastures, leads us beside the still waters, restores our soul, and leads us in the paths of righteousness, he does it for the sake of the One who is perfect in every way; the One who did it all “FOR US” in order that we might have the blessings of God eternal.
No wonder so many Christians have committed this Psalm to memory. There is no greater assurance of God’s favor than in the One He highly favored, even Jesus Christ. The believer’s union with Him is the divine touch of grace we all need, just like Martha, because we are not without sin. But in that union we too can say,
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Yes, the chastening rod of reproof that comes to us in many forms, such as blindness and illnesses and diseases of every sort, provides comfort only because it is not done to curse, but to cure and to save. What father who loves his child does not chasten that child? Even so, the Lord God provides a special place for us in His Kingdom so that all might know the true sons of God. That’s why the psalmist, King David, quickly turns his thoughts to what lay ahead because God is a loving and compassionate God.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Yes, when I think of Martha, I think of a person who was a sinner, opinionated and ornery. Yet she is also one who, because of her faith in Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, was made pure as pure can be in the blood of her Savior. When I spoke these words to her shortly before she died, she said them with me. At that moment it was as if she was saying, Lord, take my hand and lead me. And He did! Amen.