“Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.” Psalm 66: 9
“I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.” Psalm 63: 4
I have a confession to make. I have “a thing” with hands. Ever since I can remember, I have noticed people’s hands. And hands down – hehe – are my favourite body part. They are one of the most beautiful and complex of God’s engineering feats. They can grip and use precise movements in construction, or surgery, and of course many useful things. They give out blessings as hand outs or hands up!
My foster dad had the biggest hands I ever saw. My hands were infantile compared to his. And when we went swimming out far in the lake he would use his paws, I mean hands, to paddle and protect me from the undercurrents. He was a mighty swimmer and I felt completely secure beside him.
The word hand is mentioned approximately 462 times in the KJV bible. Who actually counts that stuff anyway? Apparently, God must have thought hands were extremely important. We see that being at the right hand of God means a place of the highest importance and power. I think it’s a place of protection and strength too. We raise our hands to praise or pray to God. Including all of that, hands can be greatly used to advance the kingdom of God in various ways.
Each month the Care Team of LSA brainstorms on how we can care for others. Last December we used our hands to clean for a single mother. We wrote cards to people who needed encouragement, had a baby, retired, milestone birthdays etc. We baked and bought goodies for anyone we thought needed them. We called people who wanted a listening ear and prayers. We hand wrapped gifts for some kids who lost their father last year.
God daily uses his hands for us. His hands never get tired from holding us up in His care, so how could we not use ours for Him? Remember when Moses had to hold up his staff in his hands during the war against the Amalakites? If he held it up, the Israelites won, but if it went down, the Amalakites did. Wow what pressure! His hands got tired, but Aaron and Hur stood beside him and held his hands up! That is so good when we have each other to stand beside us to strengthen our souls!
We really need each other! I was so privileged to have my foster dad’s strong hands around me when I swam in deep waters. We all find ourselves in sinking situations at times, and when we do, let’s be those hands to reach out in numerous ways to pull each other through tough times.
“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” Exodus 17:11-13
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”
Ephesians 4:28