Lyrics Study: There’s a Hand on My Shoulder

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One of the gospel greats of all time, Sandi Patty, recorded a song titled “There’s a Hand on My Shoulder” that could have been a description of portions of her own life – or mine, or yours.  She came to that familiar place where everything was going well, and she relaxed her vigil over her own heart.  The temptation to sin is always right there next to us, and it wasn’t long before she drifted into it.  In the song, she recognizes too late where she is, and the loneliness of her position is overwhelming.  The song is a poignant reminder that God is still with you, no matter what.  Here is an excerpt:

“My heart’s breaking up inside me
How could anyone feel so alone?
Tears flow, pouring from my sorrow
No one here but me knows I’m alive.
And the thunder rolls in me, as the rain falls endlessly -
Who can save me from my life? 

There’s a hand, a hand on my shoulder
Through the storm, however it blows
There’s a hand, a hand on my shoulder,
Stays with me wherever I go.” 

Nobody is immune to the attraction of sin.  Temptation comes in all types and forms, and is different for each of us.  Guarding our hearts from temptation continues daily – sometimes hourly.  It is not during the battles that most of us slide away from God’s will; it is during the respites, when life is good and everything is going our way.  We relax our guard, enjoy the ride a little.  For most of us that also means our prayers taper off a little, our study slows, and our thoughts tend to center more on the ride and less on the Creator.  This is when we are most vulnerable to temptation, because we don’t see it coming until we have already stepped in its zone.  Sometimes the battle to pull ourselves out can be excruciatingly lonely.

Remember, when you get to that lonely place, that it is you who left God – not the other way around.  He is still there, right next to you with a hand on your shoulder.  If you turn toward Him, He will show you the way out and bring you back to a place of blessing.  Remember too that you are not alone in this place.  Every one of us has been there.  Talk to any mature Christian and you will find a supporter who understands from experience your situation.

You can weather the storm, however it blows.  God promises in His word that no matter what the situation, He will provide a way out of it.  He also promises that He will never leave or forsake you, and that you are His forever.  Feel the Hand on your shoulder, and turn toward it.  Get back to your prayer life, start studying the Bible and seeking to understand it, and get back in the company of solid, mature Christians who can support and uplift you.  This is the way you “armor up” to continue the battle of guarding your heart.