10.12.07
“GOD’S MIGHTY HAND!”
Psalm 89:11-13
“The heavens are Yours, and Yours also the earth; You founded the world and all that is in it. You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at Your name. Your arm is endued with power; Your hand is strong, Your right hand exalted.”
It was a warm summer afternoon on the Washougal River in Washington, not far from where it feeds into the mighty Columbia. A group from our church had gone on a swimming party. I was probably seven or eight at the time. I really do not remember much about the party other than my near drowning.
I had waded into a little deeper water than I should and found myself being pushed along by the current. I knew I was in trouble and began to pray and call for help. I just didn’t think anyone could get to me in time. As my feet were moving along the bottom of the river, I felt a root from a tree. It was off the bottom just enough for my foot to slip under and stop my being swept away.
An adult had heard my calls for help and was quickly beside me. His hand was huge as he reached out to me. I grasped it and was soon safe on shore.
I hope you are more and more impressed by God’s mighty power. Every time you feel His touch or experience His nearness—realize that there is no power in the universe, or beyond for that matter, that compares to the power that is in His mighty right hand.
In Scripture, the word “hand” is generally given to signify strength and power. The phrase “right hand” signifies even more power. When we read in Scripture that Jesus is seated at the “right hand” of the Father in glory, we are to understand that He sits in the seat of power.
When the Lord spoke to John the words that became the Book of Revelation, Jesus presented Himself as the One who has power and dominion. John, who was so very close to Jesus when Jesus was here on earth, was struck down by the awesome sight of the glorified Jesus.
In Revelation 1:17-18, we read words that demonstrate the power of our Lord; “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed his RIGHT HAND [emphasis added] on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.’ “
Stop for a moment and just ponder on the tremendous power that our Lord possesses. When we pray, it is not to some hollow, man-made idol. It is not to some god formed in the minds of men. No! We serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
What is your greatest need right now. Please do not be too quick to respond. Do not fall into the habit of thinking of those things that are related only to our physical existence. What are your needs in relation to eternity? Remember this: “Only one life, twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last!”
With that thought running through your mind, what is your greatest need in life? What will enable you to not only be prepared for eternity yourself, but to enable others to be there also?
Several years ago I met with a family who just lost their husband and father. In the midst of the grief there was joy. I discovered the deceased man, Jerry, had an intimate relationship with the Lord and was ready to go and be with Him forever. Jerry’s thoughts at the end were not for himself, but for those he would leave behind.
Jerry’s wife, Laurie, shared with me that the day Jerry died, they had been reading from Psalm 118. Let me just share with you the last three verses that Jerry read—Psalm 118:17-19: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness, I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.”
I am not sure that Jerry or Laurie realized that the verse before, verse 15, is the very middle verse in the entire Bible. It relates to our reason for joy and confidence and amazingly, it speaks of God’s mighty “right hand”; “Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of righteous: The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” Praise the Lord! His mighty hand gives us victory in all things!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil