What are our hands good for doing? They can make things. They can comfort and they can chastise. They write words. Hands can make signals and signs. Hands can be on the offense and hands can be on the defense.
Without hands we could not eat, unless we put our face down on to a plate of food but then, how could we do that? How did the food get on the plate if it were not for our hands?
There are several things that my hands have done. In my hands, I can play a musical instrument. With my hands, I have held a newborn baby. With my hands, I have written letters. I have performed medical procedures. With my hands I have played various sports, not on a professional level, but just enough to have fun. The list can go on and on. And the same can be said for each of us. Our hands have done countless things over our lifetime.
In the hands of Michael Jordan, a basketball did what?
In the hands of Patrick Mahomes, a football has done what?
In the hands of John Smoltz, a baseball was what?
There is an unending list of sports players who accomplished magnificent feats with their hands.
You can say the same thing about the everyday common people, carpenters, electricians, brick layers, welders, doctors, nurses, restaurant employees, and so on.
In Genesis 6-9, there is the story of how Noah built an ark.
In Exodus 14, Moses’ hands held up the rod and God parted the sea.
In 1 Samuel 17, David’s hands held the sling that killed Goliath.
God created humanity and he knows precisely what we are in need of to complete our lives. One of our most essential requirements is his sacred Word. I am inclined to believe that is the subject that the author is talking about here in the last half of this verse when he says, “give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.” God made us to serve him, however by our transgressions we have made ourselves unsuitable to serve him. Accordingly, we should ceaselessly entreat him through his Holy Spirit to give us the comprehension that we so desperately and genuinely stand in need of.
The “hand of the Lord” is found thirty-six times in the OT and three times in the NT.
Deuteronomy 2:15, For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.
Job 12:9-10, Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
Acts 11:21, And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
The “hand of God” is found seven times in the OT and nine times in the NT.
Job 27:11, I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
Ecclesiastes 9:1, For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
Colossians 3:1, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
There are other verses regarding God’s hands in some fashion.
Psalm 139:10, Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Hebrews 10:31, It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
We are told to do something with our hands.
Psalm 47:1, O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
Hebrews 6:2, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
James 4:8, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
The hands that held back the Red Sea, humbly submitted to the nails on the cross. We are instruments in the hands of God to do his will. We are shaped by the hands of God to become something more than we can imagine. We are protected by the hands of God so that what lies around us cannot destroy us.
Jeremiah 18:4-6, And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
John 1:3, All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 10:28-29, 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.
Church Hymnal, page 55, “Hand in Hand With Jesus”
Once from my poor sin-sick soul, Christ did every burden roll,
Now I walk redeemed and whole, Hand in hand with Jesus.
Hand in hand we walk each day, Hand in hand along the way;
Walking thus I cannot stray, Hand in hand with Jesus.
In my night of dark despair, Jesus heard and answered prayer,
Now I’m walking free as air, Hand in hand with Jesus.
Hand in hand we walk each day, Hand in hand along the way;
Walking thus I cannot stray, Hand in hand with Jesus.
So what are you doing with your hands today? Are they in service for the Lord or for yourself?
