THE HANDS OF GOD (Part I)

THE HANDS OF GOD (Part I)

Are you aware that you are a designer original?  Even your hands (apparently small segments of your body) are extraordinary in form and function.  The human hand is comprised of 27 bones, along with numerous ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and blood vessels that are common to all people.  However, of the seven billion people living on Planet Earth at this moment, no other person’s hand is an exact duplicate of yours because every hand has its own unique set of fingerprints.  The science of naturopathy (the practice of natural alternative medicine) suggests that there are direct nerve connections, extending from the human hands to every vital organ in the human body.

That being the case, the mere act of clapping one’s hands has the potential to stimulate and strengthen our body organs.  Think about that.  In light of this health connection between hands and heart (for example), we can better appreciate the divine command recorded by the sons of Korah: “Oh, clap your hands, all ye peoples!  Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” (Psalm 47:1, NKJV)  To wit, the clapping of one’s hands is a divine directive, designed to give us life, while simultaneously breaking the power of our chief adversary.  How does this operate?  Implicitly, the clapping of our hands eventually triggers “the voice of triumph,” which is a powerful expression of our faith and a conduit to divine intervention and provision.

Nevertheless, despite the power and potential that are resident within human hands, it all pales in comparison to the hands of God!

“You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.” (Hebrews 1:10)  Scripture suggests that God’s handiwork, i.e. the awesome work of divine hands in all of creation is a source of inspiration and joy.  The Psalmist David writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)  And later he pens, “I will triumph in the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 92:4b)  Thus, no human being can boast of any degree of self-actualized or self-attained success.  Indeed, every bit of it is the handiwork of GOD. (James 1:17)

Herein lies the uniqueness of the human condition.  As God’s creative finale, we are the single entity that was touched (directly) by the hands of God.

It reminds me of my mother’s favorite poem, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.”  It involves a well worn violin that was scheduled for auction with goods old and new.  There was little expectation about gaining any profit from the old violin since it no longer seemed valuable, beautiful, or useful.  Resigned to this reality, the auctioneer started the bidding for the set-aside violin at the bargain basement price of one or two dollars.  But suddenly, an old grey-haired man appeared on the scene.  Apparently, he was a master violinist.  Picking up the old violin, he “played a melody pure and sweet – as sweet as the angels sing.”  After the master violinist had performed so admirably, the auctioneer upped his bid immediately, from one or two dollars to one or two thousand dollars! 

At that point in the poem, two salient lines stand out in memory:

The people cheered, but some of them cried, “We do not quite understand!”

“What changed its worth?”  The man replied, “The touch of the master’s hand.”

That auction scene aptly describes the impact and imperative of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Everywhere Jesus went, He touched, healed, delivered and set free – with HIS healing hands.  Dr. Luke describes the Source of Christ’s spiritual authority: “How GOD anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for GOD was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)

At the start of Jesus’ public ministry, He entered the synagogue to read Isaiah’s prophetic declaration concerning the Christ who came to redeem humankind:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he has ANOINTED Me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:17-19 – Isaiah 61:1-2)

Later on, Matthew reveals, “…great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.” (Matthew 15:30)

There can be no doubt.  JESUS CHRIST HAS HEALING HANDS!

Whenever Jesus touched people, phenomenal miracles occurred.  Many scriptures validate the fact that (as Emmanuel) God-was-IN-Christ and (as The Holy Spirit) Christ-is-IN-us.  And Jesus Christ makes it a Kingdom priority to Touch ALL MANNER OF People with HIS Healing, LIBERATING AND DELIVERING Hands.

 “And JESUS put forth his HAND…” (Matthew 8:3)

 “And he stretched forth his HAND toward his disciples…” (Matthew 12:49)

“And immediately JESUS stretched forth his HAND…” (Matthew 14:31)

To be sure, ALL stand in need of the touch of the master’s hand.  But many fail to receive the benefit of this blessing due to a lack of awareness of one simple truth: The KEY to receiving HIS HAND…is seeking HIS FACE.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed…more to come tomorrow!