I was thinking back to how our youngest son Luke used to always come to our room in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. In order to do this, he had to pass by what we have designated as the "kid's" bathroom and come all the way down the hall to the other end of the house to use ours. He would wake me and have me take him back down to his room to tuck him back in bed. We didn't talk, but Luke would always quietly slip his hand in mine as we began the journey together down the long, dark hallway back to his room. Did you ever hold your child's hand and then all of a sudden realize how much it had grown? What used to be a soft, plump, baby sized hand was now thinner and bigger and a bit rougher from little boy play and it was sad to my mother's heart...
As I crawled back into bed, I can remember realizing that while I could not control his physical growth, I could at least control the closeness that my son feels with me in placing his hand in mine. Though the size of his hand may change, the closeness we share does not have to! You see ladies, when our hearts are closely knitted in love, our hands will naturally follow that path of closeness. So it is with our Savior… Turn with me to 2 Kings 10: 15-16 and let's read the description of the closeness between Jehonadab and Jehu:
And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot.
“Is thine heart right?” Certainly this is a question we should often ask ourselves. Are you sincere in your relationships today, dear lady? It all starts with your relationship with God! When our hearts are first right with the Lord, they will be right with man. Are others assured of your heart's intentions; have you made it clear that you have no ought with others? If indeed this is true, there should be some outward evidence of the purity of your heart. You see ladies, when your heart is right with God, you will naturally want to share your passion for the Lord with others. In this portion of scripture, we find a picture of two hearts in one accord and then the joining of their hands taking place; a unity is expressed between these individuals. Those with right hearts are able to travel this life together in the same chariot, sharing a special closeness. Perhaps you remember having a disagreement with your husband and when he reached for your hand you pulled away... This is a reflection of your heart not being in agreement, not sharing a closeness with him. So too, when our hearts are right with the Lord, we will naturally place our hand in His, enjoying a special intimacy with our Savior! What benefits will we reap in doing so?
Exodus 15:6 (KJV)
Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O
Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
I know that Luke was enjoying the safety and protection that holding my hand afforded him during what seemed to a young boy a long trek down a dark hall. We too, experience the peace and protection of God when we place our hand in His. We sense a special security in facing our enemies that comes no other way. Our enemies no longer hold a certain fearful power over us because of the power found in clasping hands with our loving Creator. Yes, wonderful things take place when we reach out for the Lord! We are made whole when we place our hand in God's; mercy is found...
Job 5:18 (KJV)
For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole.
2 Samuel 24:14 (KJV)
And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into
the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into
the hand of man.
What confidence David enjoyed when he placed himself in the hand of the Lord! He was certain he would find mercy because of the closeness he shared with His God. When you are in a strait what do you do, dear lady? Do you naturally place yourself into the hand of God, confident of His great care for you? How close are you to the Lord today? Is there an uneasiness to your Christianity?
John 10: 28-29 (KJV)
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither
shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me,
is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's
hand.
Ladies, we are creatures designed to need much security, amen? Well, there is plenty of it found right here in these two scripture verses alone! Those of us who are saved have found mercy in trusting God for the salvation of our souls. We have wholly placed our souls in the Lord’s hand trusting Him to care for them for all of eternity. Yet when it comes to smaller things in life we continue to trust in our own hands to handle such matters! We foolishly forget to slip our hand into God's for daily strength, power, and protection in this life! Therefore, our zeal for the Lord suffers... Why would we not want to continue to enjoy the benefits of walking hand in hand with the God of the universe?? Could it be that your faith is failing, that you've doubted God's help? When we distrust our Lord, it becomes the point of our spiritual deterioration... Let's look at what Jesus thinks about doubt as we turn to John 20:27 which says:
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and BEHOLD MY HANDS; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
There is not an unbelieving word in our tongues, nor thought in our minds that the Lord Jesus does not know! When the Savior dealt with the doubts that Thomas was having, He told him to "behold my hands". Christ wanted Thomas to stop and consider what His hands were capable of doing, realizing the power alone that His hands held to overcome anything! Ladies, the nail-scarred hands that brought victory over sin and death can also bring victory over any doubtful situation that you and I may be experiencing personally. I want you to reread that verse above and place your name where it says "Thomas".... What do you need to believe God for today? The Lord does not want to see any of us walking around in unbelief. You see, if we are faithless, we are Christless! To be Christless is to be graceless, hopeless, and joyless.... Thrust in your hand, place it in God's capable, open hand and strengthen your faith! In verse 28 of John 20, we find Thomas was ashamed of his unbelief, and cried out, "My Lord and my God" - he took hold of Christ with all his might - won't you do the same? Look at His hands again, remember what Jesus did for you at Calvary so that you will understand what He CAN still do for you if you would but place your hand in His and tightly clasp His promises!
1 Peter 1:8 (KJV)
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet
believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving
the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
I wonder if when we silently slip our hand into the Lord's hand, does God notice our growth as I noticed my son's growth? Would you say there is evidence of spiritual growth in your life? Is your heart right today?? If it be, then give God your hand! Seek to believe Christ's excellence. May you enjoy the remainder of your days walking in quiet faith with your Savior!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
