The Hands of Jesus

Devotional—The Struggle of Sanctification—The Hands of Jesus

There are two thought processes when one hears or reads about the hands of Jesus. Either we think of our Savior’s nail-scarred hands on the cross or His righteous hands that hold us up, imparting strength to the believer.

Both concepts accurately describe our Savior’s hands. The scars represent Jesus’ love for humanity. Because of His sacrificial offering, we are recipients of the Plan of Redemption. In giving His life, everyone has the opportunity to be transformed into the righteousness of Christ. And there is more to the story, we will receive the reward of eternal life if we choose to faithfully and obediently serve Him. Read John 14:1-3.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Although we should have courage because the righteous are held in Jesus’ hands, many feel insecure and alone. The young man posted, “I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, but I feel lost.”

Hardships reveal our level of commitment to Christ. We are often surprised by our responses of weakness and disbelief to life’s harsh challenges. And many accuse God of forsaking them. Yet, we failed to do our part in strengthening our relationship with Christ. Accepting accountability for our failure to hold onto Jesus’ hands requires a heartfelt prayer of repentance. Giving 100% of our hearts through faithful obedience and daily worship is the only way to stay connected to the Source–Jesus Christ.

“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9, first part)

Many have accepted Christ and desire to serve Him, but do not know the Scriptures. Daily Bible study, prayer, and asking for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are the requisites for building and sustaining our relationship with Jesus. It is a personal decision to build your foundation on the Rock, of Jesus Christ.

Delete time-consuming activities and replace them with diligent searching for the treasures contained in the Scriptures. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). When needed, the Holy Spirit will reveal the promises that are hidden in our hearts to give us comfort.

Memorizing God’s promises increases our faith. Faith is thinking beyond the impossible and admitting that only God can resolve our challenges. Trust is faith in action—never losing hope although the answer remains unseen. Our hope does not waver. Every day we rely on Jesus to give us the supernatural power to keep moving forward.

When our focus is on Jesus, and we are determined to have relentless faith and trust in Him, we can walk through life with courage. Peace replaces anxiety and worry, and we experience the joy of the Lord, even in times of sorrow.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Holding on to the hands of Jesus takes a concerted spiritual effort. Imagine that you are walking on the troubled sea, feeling as if you will drown, and you cry out, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus extends His hands. Fervent petitions of prayer keep us connected to Jesus. With tearful prayers of faith, we still proclaim Jesus is Lord, and we thank Him for His divine intervention.

We can remain steadfast! Why? Because, in the depths of our souls, we know without a doubt that Jesus’ hands will never let us go. Yes, it is those nail-scarred hands that we hold onto when going through turbulent times.

Whether we are delivered from our tribulations or Jesus gives us the strength to endure the ongoing trials of life, our courage must remain steadfast. Remember the Apostle Paul prayed three times for Jesus to remove the thorn in his flesh–his poor eyesight. Yet, Jesus’ answer of “My strength is made perfect in your weakness” indicated that even if His answer is no, He always provides spiritual strength in our hardships.

Yes, we can remain faithful even when we lack understanding. Our unwavering confidence is built on the solid Rock–Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus’ nail-scarred hands will always hold us and provide the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical strength to keep moving forward. We have the reassurance that Jesus will never let go of us!

Prayer: God, we thank You for giving Your Son, Jesus for our redemption. Jesus, we thank You for your loving heart and hands that hold us up whether in the storms or in peaceful times. We give You the honor, glory, and praise for Your loving-kindness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.