The Touch Of Greatness Series

This week I did a study of what “God’s hand” represents in the Bible. When we ask God’s hand to be us, we’re really asking for at least four things:

· Power Exodus 15:6: “Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power.”

· Presence Psalm 18:35: “…your right hand sustains me…”

· Protection Psalm 139:10: “your right hand will hold me fast.”

· Provision Psalm 145:16: “You open your hand and satisfy…”

God is powerful. His presence is always with us. He protects us. And, He provides for us with an open hand. Over Christmas I went to an NBA game with my dad and brothers-in-law. While we were driving down the road in my brother-in-law’s car, he hit a button and suddenly a voice came on. A man introduced himself as an “On-Star” representative and told us exactly where we were on I-94. He was even able to tell us what bridge we had just crossed! He then asked us if we needed any help.

Friends, God has His hands full of good things to give us. His power, presence, protection, and provision are available – if we will only ask for them. Jabez is praying, “Lord, be with me. Go into the future with me. Remind me that you’re there. Give me your power. Protect me and provide for my needs.” What a comfort to know we are not out on our own trying to make a difference in the world, but we have been chosen, appointed, and sent by the King of Kings to be His ambassadors.

If we want God’s blessings and we want our ministry expanded, then we must ask for His hand to be with us. As someone has said, “Much prayer, much power. Little prayer, little power.” Some of us get in trouble because we try to do everything in our own strength. Sooner or later we come to the place where we realize that we can’t do it on our own. God never intended for us to do it that way.

He blesses and expands so that we will rely upon His gracious hand. His hand is open and is ready to take ours and lift us up when we’re down, and give us strength when we’re weak. Remember what Paul learned in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Some of us so seldom ask for God’s hand to be with us that we don’t even know what we’re missing. We’ve grown used to living in our own power. And, when we get overwhelmed, we bail instead of believing. It’s much easier to think we’ve attempted to do too much than it is to reach out and grab God’s open hand. We don’t experience God’s power, feel His presence, enjoy His protection, or see His provision. Why? Because we’re not asking for His hand to be with us.

Wilkinson urges us to ask for God’s mighty presence like Jabez did. When we do we’ll see tremendous results that can only be explained as coming from the hand of God. “You and I are always just one plea away from inexplicable, Spirit-enabled exploits. By His touch you can experience supernatural enthusiasm, boldness, and power. It’s up to you. Ask every day for the Father’s touch.” (Page 61)

Take Evil Away

Jabez’s final request is for God to take evil away as he prays, “…and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” As we pointed out last week, this is really a play on words. “Harm,” or “pain,” is a translation of the name “Jabez,” so what he is praying is, “Lord, whatever it is that is in me that is evil, I pray that you will keep it from ‘Jabez-ing’ me—from hurting me.” When he prays that he would be free “from pain,” he is acknowledging that sin always brings grief. We cannot sin and win.