Holding Hands

This blog is supposed to be about discovering God, but I keep talking about us, humans. But, maybe there is something to that. Because, apparently, God also likes to talk about us, watch us, help us, and overall is concerned with our wellbeing. It makes sense then that He is our Father. He does very Father-like things.

Also, if I want to know more about God, who He is and all that, then looking at David isn't such a bad idea. He is the John the Beloved of the Old Testament, the Friend of God, favored. This teaches us two things: first, God probably liked David because he did things that were similar to his Father, and so to know David is to know more of the personality of God; second, that God knew the end from the beginning, that David was going to commit adultery and murder, would repent, but still not be able to make it to 3rd degree celestial, and still loved him anyways. God will bless our righteousness now, even knowing what wickedness we will do. Now, that is justice, and that is mercy. And, that is love.

So, what can we learn from David? Lately, I have been occupied by the verse, "life up the hands that hang down." (see Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12; D&C 81:5) And so imagine my surprise when I read this:

"Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them" (2Sam. 2:7)

Hands hang down because people die, money is lost, children get sick, and life is hard. But, but, God will always provide a way for these hands to be strengthened again, to be brave when all we really want to do is cry. And David was that person. He did not gloat over the death of his enemy and king, nor his new appointment to kingship. He just recognized their sorrow, and let them know that even in grief they have something to look forward to. Hope is not gone, nor is the future. Maybe that's why God likes David, because he holds hands. Sometimes God doesn't change history, or take my hurt away, but He will sit with me while I cry, and hold my hand.