The Right-Handed God

How many of you are right-handed? You are among the group of 85 to 90% who are. Have you ever wondered why? Scientist has pondered this question for centuries. Most agree that it was evolutional in nature. They believe that as man developed the right side of the brain began to develop the language skills while the left side, which controls the right side of the body, developed the motor skills. Some have suggested that it is decided in the womb by what side of the brain receives the most oxygen.

I tend to take a different approach. I tend to take the creational approach. I believe that, as the Word says, we were created in the image of God and that God is right handed. So today, I want us to discover what it means to be in the care of a right-handed God.

As part of my preparation for this sermon, I began to observe people with their children in the malls. I noticed that most parents held their child’s right hand with their left. I am sure that they were probably not aware of this tendency. But perhaps their was a grain of protection to this decision. Very unaware, perhaps they felt better able to protect their child with their dominate hand. Also making the child feel more secure by having their dominate hand in control of a greater power. And in this observation, I have a Christmas message for you.

Let’s read Isaiah 41:13.

“For I hold you by your right hand—

I, the Lord your God.

And I say to you,

Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

God paints a picture here. We see a heavenly Father holding his child by their right hand. His left hand enfolds ours while his right hand is free to protect us. He doesn’t ask us to reach out our right hand to him. Rather He reaches down to clasp our right hand. He did this when He sent his Son to be born in a manger as a human. Jesus was God reaching down to grab our right hand.

Man’s reaction to such a compassionate move was to be afraid. When the angel appeared to Mary, his first words were “Don’t be afraid.” When the angel appeared to the shepherds, their first words were “Don’t be afraid.” When Jesus performed the miracle of catching the fish, He told Simon Peter, “Don’t be afraid.”

When there was death around him, He declared, “Don’t be afraid.” When others saw his resurrected body, He declared, “Don’t be afraid.”

Jesus came to this earth so that we would not fear God. Jesus came to this earth so that we would allow him to take our right hand and realize that He is here to help us. So what kind of help does God offer by holding our right hand.

He offers us victory.

Psalm 44:3 “They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.

It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them.”

The psalmist wrote this as a reminder that it was not the power of Joshua and his men that conquered the Promised Land. It was the right hand of God. It was his mighty arm. It was his blinding righteousness. It was his love for his people. Even though they were in partnership with God by using their weapons, it was through God’s power that the victory was won. They offered God their right hand and allowed him to win the victory.

We must offer God our right hand. It is symbolic of submission. We cannot fight against the enemy with our own might. Jesus was given to us as a symbol of God’s love for his people. Because of his sacrifice, we were given victory in the land. And along with victory come our next point.

He offers us power.

Exodus 15:6 “Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.

Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.

We have power, not in our might, but in his right hand. If we are holding on to God’s left hand with our right hand, we are defenseless. But that’s where we need to be. God is able to smash the enemy before he has the chance to try to abduct us.

The Bible says that God’s right hand will seize all who hate you. It says that God can simply raise his right hand and the earth will swallow our enemies. If our enemies seem to be winning perhaps we have let go of God and tried to fight our battles on our own. If so, then it’s time to grab his hand, surrender your might, and let him crush our enemies.