Hand of God1 Chronicles 4: 10 – “10 Jabez cried to the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request.
The Hand of God is a figure of speech which points to God’s sovereign power in creation and in His actions on His people’s behalf, especially in redemption. In our Scripture we hear the cry of Jabez who understood the need to have the Hand of God upon his life in order to see a difference. He knew the impact his life would have if the Hand of God was upon him!
a. God creates by His hand [Acts 7:50]
b. God holds the world in His hand [Psalm 95:4]
c. God’s creatures are fed from His hand [Psalm 145:16]
d. God’s hand ensures success for His people [Isaiah 41:10]
Living under the Hand of God signifies that we are living under the realm of His influence. When we prepare ourselves and seek God we will come under the Hand of God. Being under the Hand of God is a life filled with faith in God – it does not mean that we will not face any difficulties, but that we will be protected and shielded from the work of the enemy. There are four aspects of the Hand of God I would like to highlight based on the Word of God.
1. Outstretched Hand of God! Jeremiah 32:17
The Hand of God that is outstretched signifies God’s POWER! Nothing is too hard for the all-powerful, invincible, mighty God! It is the mighty power of His Hand that parted the Red Sea and the River Jordan. Every miracle is manifestation of the power of His Hand! As the prophet Habakkuk says, power is hidden in the Hand of God. [Habakkuk 3:4]
2. Unchanging Hand of God! Hebrews 6:17, 18
The unchanging Hand of God signifies God’s PERSON! His personality that is consistent is revealed through His Hand. God is dependable and by making an oath, God makes an un-breakable covenant with us. God does NOT change [Malachi 3:6], He is the same yesterday, today and forever [Hebrews 13:8] God Himself asked Moses if His arm was too short to save? Surely not! [Numbers11:23]. God’s unchanging nature manifested through His Hand:-
a) Gracious Hand of God [Nehemiah 2:8]
b) Healing Hand of God [Luke 5:13]
c) Right Hand of God [Psalm 118:16 ;Isaiah 41:10]
d) Comforting and Strengthening Hand of God [Genesis 49:24;Psalm 18: 31-34]
3. Everlasting Hand of God! Deuteronomy 33:27
The everlasting Hand of God signifies God’s PROTECTION! God’s love is displayed by His everlasting arms that are always there to protect and shield you! He has drawn you with His loving kindness and loved you with an everlasting love [Jeremiah 31:3], and He stretches forth His arms against your enemies that try to harm you. [Psalm 138:7]. In order for God’s Hand to be upon our lives, we need to abide in Him. Be close to God and live a life of faith. Seek Him sincerely and let His Hand guide us all the days of our lives.
4. Upraised Hand of God! Isaiah 10:4
In talking about the Hand of God, we cannot but mention that the upraised Hand of God signifies God’s divine PUNISHMENT! A father that loves his children will not stop at disciplining his child. Similarly, the love of God, the Father is sincere and complete hence when we fall short of His desires He will punish us ONLY so that we may return to Him and do what He wants! He is a just God and He loves us too much to let go off us!
May God’s Hand be upon us, so we will be highly favored!
