I've been preoccupied with my right hand this year, first because of diminishing strength and capacity--finally diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome--and then, following surgery, because it has not healed as quickly as anticipated. So, I decided to do a word study on "hand." Did you know, just from Exodus to Deuterononomy, the word "hand" appears over 200 times? And that doesn't count verbs specifying how hands are used. This little appendage must have great significance in Almighty God's plan. Here are a few highlights:

God's hand displays His infinite power. He stretches out His right hand to save His people. He swears wit His uplifted hand. His strong hand does mighty works. He establishes His dwelling, His sanctuary, with His hands. God covered Moses in the cleft of the rock with His hand while He passed by. Then He removed His hand so Moses could see the glory of God. His awesome hand compels and blesses. Like a shepherd, He draws back those who stray. These same hands have infinite power to destroy. That is part of God's love, too. He strikes His enemies in judgment and shatters the unrighteous, even while holding the holy ones safe in His merciful hand.

Moses wrote about human hands, as well:  ten fingers, opposing thumbs, created in God's image. Consecration of the priests involved blood on the thumbs of their right hands.  God requires His work to be done with consecrated hands. When we surrender what we hold in our hands, even if it's an ordinary shepherd's staff like Moses held, God performs miracles. We are warned not to come to God empty-handed. During war with the Amalekites, as long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelistes were victorious in battle.  Aaron and Hur came alongside to keep Moses' hands held high.  We lift our hands to the throne of grace in intercession for each other. Moses admonished the Israelites to approach God with clean hands symbolic of clean hearts. Moses instructed the people to lay hands on animals free from blemish to transfer their sins. The animals were then sacrificed to atone for sins. This foreshadowed the substitutionary work of Jesus. When we take hold of His sacrifice on the cross, our sin is transferred to The Sinless One, whose hands were pierced for us. 

If eyes are windows to the soul, hands could be called windows to the heart. With our hands we bless or curse, give or withdraw, administer love and punishment. Where our hearts are, there will our hands be found working, praying, caressing, blessing, creating, holding, surrendering, praying, greeting, giving, helping, guiding and so much more.

Moses was 120 years old when he laid hands on Joshua to commission him as Israel's new leader. No matter how old and decrepit our hands get, God will always have use for them.

Through God's fingers this year, trickled all the income we needed to live by faith. So I've chosen a verse from How Firm a Foundation to be my theme song for the coming year.

    "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed.
    "For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
    "I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
    "Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."