HANDS
I loved the hands of my great-grandmother. They were weathered and old, but I distinctly remember their soft gentle touch even to this day after many years. If you sat with her, and I did often as a little boy, she would grab up your hands in hers. Her hands were so different than mine, in a good way. I look forward to a day when we hold hands again.
If one aspect of significance is the tracks you leave behind, then what about the tracks you are yet to make. Many times we look to our future and our attitudes are varied. Some see a future through rose colored glasses. Some can only see obstacles standing in the way that they can’t imagine they’ll ever surpass. Some see narrowly with their blinders perfectly in play. And, perhaps most disturbing of all, some see nothing as though no hope can be seen from their current situation.
If we are all honest, we will admit we have all been at each of those places at different times in our lives. King David in the Old Testament certainly knew all those attitudes given the array of his experiences from great triumph to dismal failure. As 1st Chronicles closes we find King David making plans for one of his greatest passions: A temple for his Lord. He knows the temple will not be made under his watch for the Lord had told his as much. So, he carefully instructs his son Solomon and other prominent leaders within the kingdom.
In 1 Chronicles 29 beginning in verse 10, David offers one of the most compelling prayers of the Old Testament. Before the great assembly as he looked toward the future rejoicing greatly (v.9) he said…
“Praise be to you, O’Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O’Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours O’Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 (NIV)
What an incredible passage. You could write an entire series on these verses alone, but what I would like to draw your attention toward today is His hands. David says, “In YOUR hands are strength and power…” Since everything is His and all things are under His rule, our God possesses what you need for the future. Many look inward for strength and power. David said to look outward, but perhaps more poignantly to look upward. By turning to the Lord and discovering the plans He has – you will have a significant future.
He has you in His hands. Your part then is to merely acknowledge that wondrous fact and face the future in the comfort and peace of that knowledge knowing that His power and strength will sustain you in spite of your circumstances.
His hands are significant.
Malcolm Woody lives in Madison, Ms with his wife and four boys. He is the general manager of a furniture store, life group teacher, and leader of the Jackson Street Ministry, an outreach to the homeless of Jackson. Read more from this author at malcolmwoody.com.
