The hand is an amazing part of the body and it serves so many important functions in our daily life. From birth and throughout our lives we see how hands can be used for so many good and bad things. Think about it, a finger on a hand can pull a trigger on a gun and end a life, or it can reach out to a drowning person and barely grab them and save their life. A hand can be raised up to wave "hi" or a thrown forward to say "phooey." A hand can hold water in it's palm, or spill it by turning it over. A grouping of fingers when applied to specific musical instruments can make beautiful melodies that stir hearts. A clinched fist can be used to take a stand by bringing it down hard on an object while making a point, or when thrust forward in a punch can knock a person out. We put rings on our fingers denoting many different things, but the most frequent rings you see are wedding rings. Those rings can be used to show that you have given yourself in commitment to someone else, or taken off to flippantly think that commitment is over because you only have a faint tan line. Hands can be used to hold onto something and lift enormous amounts of weight when given strength throughout our body, or they can become lifeless when a person's life has ended. A hand on a shoulder many times will bring peace and comfort, or make us feel distant when not reached out. Doctors prick our fingers to get blood and put a pulse monitor on our finger to get a heart rate. Our Savior's Hands are famous for the image of serving, comforting, admonishing, and sacrifice. We are called to extend our hands toward heaven to lift up the name of Jesus and outward to lift up the afflicted and needy. Our hands can cover our eyes, ears, and mouth seemingly to shut out the world. A parent's hand can calm their children's fear and anxiety with a very gentle stroke, and be used to inflict a minor degree of pain for correction. A prisoner's hands can be tied with handcuffs one day making them bound for their crimes, and when released they have the ability to feel freedom again. Hands! A pretty awesome part of our body that when used the right way or wrong way can impact any situation for good or evil. I've been in many situations where someone would perform and at the completion of their performance be rewarded with the clapping of hands. Rhythm in music is many times represented by clapping our hands. And of course, you can always tell those who don't have rhythm. Whatever the use of our hands, they are pivotal in a Christian's life.Exodus 9: 29 Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's. Exodus 17:12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. Exodus 32:15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 28:2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. Psalm 47:1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 63:4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. John 20:24-28 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" 1 Timothy 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. Of course, the scriptures goes on and on using the word "hand." The best use of our hands is to give them to God and allow Him to use them in the way He intended. All of the right ways to use our hands are chronicled in His Word and helpful for instruction for now, and in the future. Hands are front and center when it comes to uses for good and for evil and when we place OUR hands in HIS hands they become what God intended, an extension of our heart.....his heart. They are the difference maker in almost every situation and God wants to use your hands for His Glory and His alone. Put your hand in the hand of the one who has the scars that show ultimate sacrifice, and see what good can be done. Give Him a hand.....Give Him your hands.
The Pilgrimage continues......
David Warren
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