Put Your Hand in the Hand

by Brenda Black
Published February 14, 2009

“His hands were rough and exceedingly strong. He could gently prune a fruit tree or firmly wrestle an ornery mule into harness. He could draw and saw a square with quick accuracy. He had been known to peel his knuckles upside a tough jaw. But what I remember most is the special warmth from those hands soaking through my shirt as he would take me by the shoulder and, hunkering down beside my ear, point out the glittering swoop of a blue hawk, or a rabbit asleep in its lair. They were good hands that served him well and failed him in only one thing: they never learned to write.” Calvin R Worthington begins his 1975 literary work, “My Father's Hands,” with gripping detail that clearly illustrates the importance of hands to everyday tasks and their lasting impact when they touch the heart.

Just 27 bones, some muscles, ligaments, nerves and wrinkles able to wrestle a bear yet gentle enough to cradle and comfort a frail newborn. As universal as their purpose, every person has an original pair with specific qualities and divine destinies. Your fingers may be long and straight, and the lines that criss-cross your palm be deep crevices. You may have earned thick callouses from years of hard labor or succumbed to arthritic joints and gnarled fingers. Maybe your hands are musical or artistic or devotedly go through each day changing diapers.

Some believe you can determine intelligence, calculate patience, assess creativity and predict health by interpreting the signs of life in the palm of a hand. What matters most is not that we mark life by the scars or wrinkles, nor plot our life based on the characteristics of our own hand, but that we walk hand in hand with God by placing our life into the Heavenly Father's palm.

I can only imagine what my Heavenly Father's hands must look like. They'd have to be large for “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?” (Isaiah 40:12a) None other than my Jehovah God.

They are certainly strong and creative for God's “own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and [his] right hand spread out the heavens; when [he] summon[s] them, they all stand up together.” (Ish. 48:13)

Oh, how beautiful they must be. “His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.” (Habakkuk 3:3b-4)

My Father's hands never let go for no one can snatch his children from his grasp. (John 10:28) They protect me all the days of my life. “My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” (Psalm 31:15) Though I stumble, I will not fall, “for the Lord upholds [me] with his hand.” (Ps. 37:24)

There is no place the Lord cannot reach me with his mighty hand. “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Ps. 139:9-10)

One of the nicest qualities of my Heavenly Father's hands is their capacity to care for the entire world and every creature God so lovingly created. “The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Ps. 145:13b-16)

I long to see hands large enough to hold the universe. I can't wait to feel hands so holy and loving, yet fierce and strong. I want to trace the ridges and touch the scars that define the history of the world and the greatest story ever told. Until that moment I hold to one certain truth. My name is written in the lines and crevices. It is stamped on his heart as well as imprinted into his skin for the Lord says of those who believe in His goodness and grace and call upon him to be saved, “See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...” (Is. 49:16)

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