My dad had strong hands. My mom said it was one of the first things she noticed about him. That may seem like an odd way to begin a letter, but sometimes in my scripture reading things just jump out at me and get me thinking.
Lately I’ve noticed how many times hands are mentioned in scripture. In Matthew 5, we’re told that if our hand offends, we’re to cut it off. In chapter 6 we’re told that one hand shouldn’t know what the other is doing. The Psalms say that God’s right hand is what holds us up, and in Exodus we’re told that His hand is majestic in power and shatters the enemy. The book of Judges lays out that there are clear advantages to be celebrated in being left handed; just ask Ehud or the 700 men of Benjamin who were elite left handed warriors.
We hear about the lifting up of hands and the laying on of hands. Psalm 90 says that the Lord shows favor by establishing the work of our hands. Eccl. 9 encourages us that whatever we put our hand to, we should do it with all our might. Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
For most, our right hand is usually our strong side, but here we are reminded of our weakness. Have you ever injured your dominant hand? It can be almost comical, and definitely frustrating, to try to do even simple tasks with our weaker hand. Hands are not only incredibly functional, they are also personal. The hands of someone who is aged have the stories of a lifetime etched on them. Hands can be used to give or to steal, to heal or to injure. How interesting that God uses this powerful tool, that we put so much self sufficient confidence in, and illustrates not only His power, but also His love and protection over us.
We, as believers, live each day in the confidence that NO man can pluck us out of our heavenly Father’s hands because of Jesus’ nail pierced hands. John Newton said “How unspeakably wonderful to know that all our concerns are held in hands that bled for us.” Isaiah 49:16 says, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” We are literally carved into His hands. Just like the scars that Christ bears on our behalf, we are written on the hands of a God who loves us so dearly. His hand steadies us, strengthens us, upholds us, and protects us. And since we are the “hands and feet of Christ” we are to go out and reflect that character to the world around us.
At the burning bush, God asked Moses what was in his hands. We know it was a staff because Moses was a shepherd. God used what was in Moses’ hands to display His wonder and accomplish His work. May God direct our hands to glorify Him, serve others, and remind us of His protection and sustaining of our hearts and lives.
