Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of November  7, 2021

Weekly reading: Genesis 36-40; Psalm 63-64
Passages referenced: Psalm 63:8; Isaiah 41:10

I would like you to think about your dominant hand. What does it mean to you? What can you do with it or not do without it? Psalm 63:8 talks about God’s right hand – which is steadier and stronger than mine.

Here’s the verse in a few different translations: 

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (NIV)

I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. (NLT)

I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post. (MSG)

Being right-handed, I can easily relate to this verse. I write with my right hand, swing a racquet with my right hand, and I eat with my right hand (although I am capable enough to get food to my mouth with my left hand).

Have you ever tried or had to do tasks just using your non-dominate hand? I have, and it usually does not go very well. Try brushing your teeth, writing your name or a note to someone, or buttoning a shirt. I have played racquetball with a friend, and sometimes for fun, we would use our non-dominate hands. I am sure it was quite comical for anyone who may have been watching. I would miss the ball, could not get much power on the ball when I did hit it, and could not place the ball very well where I wanted it to go. My friend was better at it than I was.

I have paraphrased some comments on Psalm 63 from the Tony Evans Bible Commentary to provide some additional insights:

In verses 1-2, David considers his thirst – that of his soul. What he truly thirsts for is not water but God. 

In verses 3-5, David finds satisfaction, joy, and comfort in praising God. Genuine worship will sustain you in your own wilderness experiences.

In verses 6-8, David meditates on God because he is his helper. God’s right hand – a metaphor for his sovereign power – supports him. David’s musings should make you ask where you focus during your times of suffering. To whom do you first turn for help?

In verses 9-11, David is certain his enemies would be defeated because he was God-confident. No matter the negative circumstances you face, put your confidence in the one whose love for you is “better than life.”

If you find yourself in a dry place in life, earnestly seek and try praising God (v3) because His love is better than life. Sometimes, I think about the most powerful being in the universe using his right hand to hold and strengthen me. Isaiah 41:10 uses this imagery: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. May we take comfort in God’s powerful hand. I trust that with God’s help, no matter what comes my way, He takes care of me with his strong right hand. – Jeff Baumann 

Do you have questions about this week’s Bible reading? We’d love to help! Rather than relying on the first thing you find on the internet, email us at biblequestions@warsaw.cc. We are more than happy to answer that nagging question you have, provide you with some clarity, or point you in the right direction for further study.