Several years ago there was a popular song called “Daddy’s Hands.” The song was very touching and referred to the hands of a father that could be soft or hard depending on the circumstances. I recall a line in the lyrics that read “there was always love in daddy’s hands.”
The song was written by Holly Dunn. I was saddened to hear of her recent death at the young age of 59. Incidentally, Holly’s father was the author of a book that I have in my study (Know Your Bible by Frank Dunn). The book gives a detailed outline of every book in the Bible. It is a wonderful resource and I use it frequently.
Take a look at your hands. How have they served you in life? I wonder what my children will remember about my hands. I hope they too can know there was always love in my hands. I remember being told once before our children were born, that when disciplining children one should never use the bare hand to spank. This wise, older gentleman said he always used an object such as a rolled up newspaper, switch, or paddle because he didn’t want the child to associate the discipline with his hand. I tried to adhere to this advice while raising our boys.
In this context, let us consider the hands of GOD. What does the Bible say about the hand of GOD?
There are several passages in the Bible that refer to the hand of GOD. Almost without exception the references will fall under one of two headings. The hand of GOD will be used in the context of either discipline or delivery.
In the day of the Judges, we find the hand of the LORD used in a disciplinary sense.
Judges 2:15 – “Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity…”
On the other hand, Isaiah 59:1 is an example of the hand of the LORD used in the sense of delivery. “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened that it cannot save…”
One of my favorite stories of my boys growing up happened when my oldest son was about 3 years old. He fell into the deep end of the swimming pool. Almost immediately one of the adults reached down under the surface of the water to grab him and pull him out. When I asked him if he was scared his reply was, “No, I just wondered whose body’s hand that was that grabbed me.” We have enjoyed that story many times through the years imagining from his view underwater, what it looked like for a hand to break the surface of the water and pull him to safety.
I am reminded of that story when I read the passage from 1 Peter 5:6. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of GOD, that He may exalt you in due time.”
There are so many lessons in that passage.
Humble yourselves. The necessity of humility is expressed. Note also the fact that this is something I have to do to myself.
That He may exalt you in due time. I want GOD’S hand to be a hand of delivery for me. I live knowing that it will come in due time. GOD’S help will come at just the right time. It might not seem so to me, but if I trust in Him, help will come and it will come on His timeline.
I can rest assured there is love in my Father’s hands. I remember the many times in my life when His hand has reached down and saved me from destruction at just the right time. I thank GOD for these blessings.