God’s Hand, 4

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Dismayed—downcast, demoralized, discouraged, distressed, distraught. Do you feel those emotions? God says, “Don’t,” because He is our God and extends His hand to help us, hold us up, and strengthen us.

God’s hand is the solution to our worry, weakness, and wondering. He helps us by supplying our need. He holds us, keeping us safe. He strengthens our fragile, vulnerable hearts. Because His hand is righteous, it only provides His children with what is good. God’s nature makes it impossible for Him to do otherwise.

God’s hand is one of provision, safe-keeping, and strength. He extends it to us. We need only to reach out and take hold.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:7 (ESV)

Photo by Sally Teschon

11/3/2022

God’s Hand, 3

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and
says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

The Lord God, Creator of the universe, Master of the world, holds my hand. When I am stressed or facing a challenge, He takes my hand and tells me not to fear—He’s got it. He will help me. 

My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
Psalm 31:15

Not only does He hold my hand, He holds my days. When I fear what’s ahead or how any of the moving pieces in my life will come together, I find peace in the assurance that my times—my moments, days, and years—are in God’s hands. When troubles pursue me and doubts rush in, God is there—and He’s got it.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; 
no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

God holds my hand, He holds my days, and He holds me. I am safe because nothing and no one can snatch me away from God. I am protected. When I’m bewildered or hurting, this simple truth calms my heart and dries my tears: I am held. No matter what threatens, I am saved, safe, secure, kept, held tight. How great is our God!

God’s Hand, 2

I confess, I come home from the grocery frustrated. Shelves offer gaping spaces where goods should be. Supplies are sporadic and unpredictable. Prices seem to increase weekly. Not only is it frustrating, it’s a little scary. Where, when will it stop?

Before the vortex of worry sucks me in, my pampered American self has a little talk, reminding me of the abundance in our country and the dire needs in other lands.

I’m justly chastised, but my self-talk continues. When have I ever gone to bed hungry? When has there literally been nothing in my cupboards? When was my wallet too empty to purchase food? 

“Okay, I get it. I’m sorry.” But the voice goes on. I’m rightly reminded that my provision isn’t dependent on the economy, trucking troubles, or farmers’ fields. My Provider gives me all I need, just as He always has.

So I determine to gather my groceries with gratitude, ignore what is not available, and be thankful I can pay for what’s in my cart. If the situation worsens, if tragedy strikes and the unthinkable happens—America actually goes hungry—I trust I will still look to God with confidence and expectation.

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. Psalm 104:27-28

God is my Provider… I will be satisfied… and it will be good.

God’s Hands, 1

My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; 
when I summon them, they all stand up together. Isaiah 48:13

Selah. Pause and calmly think about that—God’s hands laying the foundation of the earth and spreading out the heavens. What a picture, whether you see it literally or figuratively. And do you smile when you read the last line? When God summons them, “they all stand up together.”

Oh, the power, might, and sovereignty of God! I’m reminded of the question asked in Genesis, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (18:14). Let our rhetorical response be an impassioned, “No.”

Every aspect of new life demonstrates God’s creative hand—a child in the womb, a seed sprouting in the spring, a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. Every expression of beauty from our easel, pen, or potter’s wheel displays God’s creative power. The way we think, imagine, and solve, reflects the God who made us in His image.

Although we live in a broken world, where decay and depravity litter the landscape and threaten our peace, let us be mindful and not forget that the God who created in perfection will come again to redeem and restore—our world and us.

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to
a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13