What Does
The Hand of God Look Like?
Good Morning Friends,
Perhaps it is as a touch of comfort for a little child… or as the holder of the universe…or as the roughhewed palm of a carpenter on a cross. Perhaps it is the very image of the miracle that happens when we place our lives in the hands of God. Perhaps God’s hands are the image of us being planted in the soil and nurtured to grow or of a potter forming us and creating us for a heavenly glory. With that in mind we contemplate this morning’s question: What Does
The Hand of God Look Like?
Scripture: I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (NRSV)
O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
All this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God;
Ecclesiastes 9:1 (NRSV)
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
Psalm 119:73 (NRSV)
Then Moses answered, “But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.'” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw the staff on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses drew back from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand, and seize it by the tail” —so he reached out his hand and grasped it, and it became a staff in his hand—
Exodus 4:1-4 (NRSV)
Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Psalms 31:5 (NRSV)
Message: Our hands are what puts our thoughts and beliefs into action. They can create great music, hold a book, shake the hand of a friend and break bread. And so too it is with God’s hands fueled by faith. The Bible has much to say about hands. God asked Moses at the burning bush what he had in his hands. There are many wonders of the hands. They are the most precise instrument with a unique fingerprint in God’s creation. The center of the problem about our hands is the discipline and faith to use them well. You see God always acts on the faithfulness of the creatures He created. Unfortunately people facing the worst often think there is no God, and that even if there is, He is useless. So what of the Hands of God. Is it just anthropomorphic commentary or is there something more to this image. Perhaps it is during times of troubles when God gives us a chance to use compassion to win the hearts and minds of others that we see more clearly. He never promised it would be easy; however He does hand us a covenant in the form of the ten laws. But there is more. God promised an everlasting covenant. I have not counted them but I understand that there are over 7000 promises in the Bible. I know that many remind us that we do not have to fear the future. Some remind us that those who use God’s wisdom will be safe. Others help us to remember that the Lord will show us the right way when we are lost. Several tell us that God will be with us when we are distressed and will watch over us when we are confused. Friends, God has promised to be with us, watch over us, so reach out to Him and take His hand. And I guarantee you that God’s hand is in that future. Here the fabric of the world’s history is changed. But we do not have to worry. We have been created for the glory of God so keep on keeping on…one day at a time…one breath at a time…one act of compassion at a time will get us through to a better day.
Friends, here God’s hands bring us together and meet our needs and enable us to do what God calls us to do. Here God’s hands beckon us to repent so we might enter a better future. God’s face we may not be able to see yet but God’s hands are with us forever. It is a vision of God’s hands in our lives that gives us purpose, direction, hope, courage and motivation. This hand can show love and judgement. What is in your hand? Are you willingly in God’s hands?
Pray we have a vision of God’s hands at work in our lives. Pray we realize that our very faith moves God’s hands into action. Pray that regardless of what we plan, we realize and submit to the truth, that the future is in God’s hands. Pray we place our skills and resources in God’s hands. Pray we realize that God’s hands unite us. Pray we realize that God’s hands provide for us.
Pray we realize that God’s hands empower us. Pray we realize that God’s hands protect us. Pray we not fear the future. Pray we not worry over the things that do not matter. Pray we will know what we need to do when the time comes. Pray we realize that nothing is going to surprise God so that in His hands we need not worry. Pray we realize that God already knows everything that is going to happen in our lives and because of that makes promises about our future. Pray we take His hand and walk with God. Pray we raise our hands in prayer. Pray we see His hands of love in our lives and faithfully follow God’s lead. Pray we see God’s power, strength, and ability to act in His creation manifested in our lives. Pray we learn the blessing of being in the hands of God. Pray we see God’s hands working in our lives.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 