HAVE HAND STRENGTH, BUT NO HEART- STRENGTH.
"Indeed, what profit is the strength of their hands to me? " (Job 30:2a) NKJV
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom" ( Ecclesiastes 9:10).
The LORD God took the man (Adam) and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). In the garden, his work was fruitful and productive. God expects us to work. He gives us talents and abilities, and he requires that we work and use them.
Our natural strength should be developed for the benefit of ourselves and others; every mental power and ability, as well as our physical strength, is a gift from God that must be accounted for.
The strength of the hand is not to be hid in a napkin, nor to be put underground, but to be traded with, to some good increase. Some people have enough strength, but no good comes out of it. "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24).
There are various gifts of God in the church: "diversities of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are differences of administration; but the same LORD; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which works all in all" (1 Corinthians 12:4); "But the Manifestation of the Spirit is Given to Everyone to Profit Withall" (1 Corinthians 12:7). We are to profit with the gifts that God has given us, with the strength of our hands, with all the good abilities that God has given us.
Now as every man who has received the manifestation of the spirit has received it to this end, for profit to the church of God, so our portion of bodily gift is bestowed on us to profit withal. Therefore, let us not be slothful in business; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord (Romans 12:11).
WHERE IS YOUR "HEART - STRENGTH"?
Strength is a trust, take heed that you are not found wanting in the use of it; the diligence of the hand is under a promise, "the diligent hand makes rich" (Proverbs 10:4).
Many people have enough strength, but they do no good with it; they are sluggards and are idle; their hands are in their pockets (warm in their gloves) but not warm at work. They have enough hand strength, but no heart-strength ("Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart for it" (Proverbs 17:16)], "Their strength is to sit still" (Isaiah 30:7), though they are strong.
Man's great wickedness is his neglect of God's favor. He also has a lackadaisical attitude towards his own interests. He has no heart, no will, nor courage to improve his advantages. He has set his heart on other things, so that he has no heart for his duty or the great concerns of his soul. So why should a price be thrown away and lost on someone who is so undeserving of it?
Ephraim is called a "silly dove without a heart" (Hosea 7:11). He had a hand but no heart to act and do, either for God or for himself to purpose. He had no courage, no activity of spirit to the strength of his hand.
Brethren, where is your heart's strength? Is there wisdom in the use of your talents, gifts, and goodwill that God has given you?
USE YOUR STRENGTH WITH GREAT WISDOM.
When you put your hand (the chief instrument of action) to the right use, great things are done by the hand. The strength of a young man profits little (Job 30:2a), if wisdom is not applied to the use of his strength. "Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city" (Ecclesiastes 7:19).
Though a man may have the strength of a giant, unless he has judgment and prudence, what is he good for? Surely it will be good for nothing. Strength without grace and holiness serves little, and without prudence it serves nothing.
Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. God does not expect you to do what you are unable to do, but he does expect you to do what you are capable of doing. Your very best might not be the same as someone else's best, but that is all that God asks for—your very best. As long as you are trying as hard as you can and really doing everything you can, God won't even be mad at you if you fail at something.
DO NOT USE YOUR STRENGTH WRONGLY.
Take care not to misuse your strength; do not use it to your own detriment and destruction; for all those who serve the will of the flesh and the will of Satan, or who walk according to the course of the world that is wicked, the strength of most men runs out in all of these ways.
They are strong to do mischief; "they do evil with both hands earnestly (Micah 7:3). It is bad enough to let the strength of your body go to waste, but it is worse when it goes to evil uses and purposes.
HOW DO YOU STRENGTHEN YOUR HANDS?
"Then I told them of the hand of my God, which was good upon me, as well as the king’s words that he had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work" (Nehemiah 2:18).
1. ASK FOR GOD'S HELP AND STRENGTH.
"For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:14 -16).
2. DRAW STRENGTH FROM GOD'S WORD.
The Word of God gives perspective and promises like no other source. It gives direction and wisdom. Time with the Lord in His Word settles our spirits and realigns our focus. There is no substitute for it.
"Every word of God is pure; he is a shield to those that put their trust in him" (Proverbs 30:5).
3. LET GO OF WHAT WEAKENS YOUR HAND.
This is huge. We ask God to strengthen our hands while at the same time clinging to what weakens our hands. What weakens your hands for the work God has called you to do? Is it social media, particular television shows, computer games, or a carnal relationship? Ask God to show you what weakens your hands, and release it.
"Let us therefore, seeing that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us, and run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).
4. DO THINGS DECENTLY AND IN ORDER.
We weaken our ability to respond to needs and work efficiently when we’re not able to find what we need or are not prepared for the next task at hand.
"Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).
5. DO NOT FORGET THE BRETHREN'S GATHERING.
Spend time with Christians who encourage your walk with the Lord and strengthen your faith. We live in a day when sarcasm, criticism, and disparagement are celebrated. But these kinds of interactions and relationships weaken our hands. You need people to encourage you in the Lord and in your work for Him.
"And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David in the woods, and strengthened his hand in God" (See 1 Samuel 23:16).
6. SEEK HELP FROM A COUNSELOR.
Indecision weakens our hands and our work. Sometimes an outside perspective from a godly Christian is all we need.
"Without counsel, purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors, they are established" (Proverbs 15:22).
7. RELY ON GOD
When the work is overwhelming, as any real work for God will be, we need God’s perspective. Sometimes, this means stepping back to gain a clearer vision. Sometimes, it means buckling down and focusing on one thing at a time.
Remember that the work is the Lord’s, and the results belong to Him, and remember to rejoice in what He is doing.
"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90:17).
"This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23).
James Dina (james@mountzionblog.org)
June 12th, 2021
https://mountzionblog.org/have-hand-strength-but-no-heart-strength/
WORKS CITED
1. "An Exposition with Practical Observations on the Book of Job" by Joseph Caryl
2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-34-developing-our-talents?lang=eng
3. "7 Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Hands for Work" by Paul Chappell
4. "O God, strengthen my hands!" by Dick Leggatt.
