Hands that possess God’s authority
(Mat 9:18 NIV) While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”
(Acts 28:8 NIV) His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.
Our hands can do the works of God with the authority of God. When Jesus, even Paul, laid his hands on the sick, they were healed. The hands are a symbol of God’s authority as can be seen in the case of Moses.
(Deu 34:10-12 KJV) And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, {11} In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, {12} And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.
We can exert God’s hand of authority into any situation. Is there a friend who needs God’s healing? Extend God’s hand of authority over the sickness and ask for God’s healing.
Hands that bless others
(Lev 9:22 NIV) Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.
(Luke 24:50 NIV) When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
(Mat 19:13 NIV) Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
In the Bible, hands are used frequently to extend blessings to others. We can extend God’s hand of blessings to people we know.
Hands that support others
(Exo 17:9-13 NIV) Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” {10} So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. {11} As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. {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. {13} So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Moses lifted his hands up, and because his hands carry the staff of God, he had the authority of God. While his hands were lifted up, the Israelites were winning the battle. But Moses’ hands grew tired.
Aaron and Hur, used their own hands, to lift up the hands of Moses. We can have hands that support others, especially those in leadership. Leaders carry the authority of God but like we see in the case of Moses, they too will be overcome by human limitations. We need to support them.
Avoiding hands of defiance
(Isa 10:32-33 KJV) As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. {33} Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
The Bible uses the shaking of hands or fists as expressions of defiance. It is clear that those who defy God or His people will be brought low.
Are we guilty of defying God’s word or our church leaders?
Avoiding hands of neglect
(Josh 10:6 KJV) And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.
The NIV translates it this way…
(Josh 10:6 NIV) The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.”
We slack our hands when we neglect to do something. There are many things that we can neglect or fail to do. When we see someone in need, we can fail to help.
(James 2:15-16 NIV) Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. {16} If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
The story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10 relates how two people – a priest and a Levite – neglect to help a person who had been robbed.
When you look around you, what do you see? People who need financial assistance, like those in poverty-stricken countries. People who need to hear the gospel. Do we slacken our hands in neglect?
Avoiding hands that are lazy
(Prov 19:24 NIV) The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
(Prov 24:30-34 NIV) I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; {31} thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. {32} I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: {33} A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– {34} and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
We need to avoid hands that are lazy. Are we putting enough effort into our work? Do we do serve God enough? Are we putting enough into our evangelistic efforts?