(Read all Scripture references)

I muse on the work of Thy hands," the Psalmist said (Ps. 143:5), and so may we, as we consider Isa.48:13,"My hand.. .laid the foundation of the earth…. spanned the heavens" (repeated in Isa. 45:12; Ps. 102:25; Heb. 1:10), "made me.. .fashioned me. . .give me understanding" (Ps. 119:73; Isa. 64:8), the "government in His hand" (Isa. 22:21) and, "All things given into His hands" (John 13:3; 3:35). The hand that opens to "satisfy the desire of every living thing" (Ps. 145:16) possesses "power and might" (2 Chron. 20:6), and "is not shortened that it cannot save" (Isa. 59:1). But a more glorious contemplation engages us as we think oi the One who "sitteth at the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1; Rom. 8:34; Acts 5:31), who draws near as Man to man saying, "My hand shall not be heavy upon thee…I also am formed out of the clay" (Job 33:7). This surely appeals to our hearts as we link with it His words, "Behold My hands" (John 20:27), showing to us the nail-prints (John 20:20; Luke 24:40). Just such a sight will yet cause even Israel, now in unbelief, to own their blest Messiah, as wonderingly they say, "What are these wounds in Thy hands?" (Zech. 13:6). They will then see and believe, but now those who believe though not seeing have deeper joy and a richer portion in glory, even now possessing the confidence that "no one" shall pluck away from His dear hand the sheep, once lost, but sought and found by Him (John 10:28).

"In the shadow of His hand hath He hid me" (Isa. 49:2), and even though, if need be, His "hand presseth me sore" (Ps. 38:2), the exercised soul declares, "It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good" (1 Sam. 3:18). To "hear the rod and who hath appointed it" (Mic. 6:9) leads the soul to happily adopt the language of 2 Cor. 12:7-10, rejoicing because "grace sufficient" turns the sharpness of the "thorn" into such "perfecting" as enables the spirit to rise above the soreness, singing,

"The hand my many sins had pierced
Is now my guard and guide."

Three times over we are told "God shall wipe away all tears" (Isa. 5:8; Rev. 7:17; 21:4). Soon that tender, Divine hand will be gently laid on every tear-stained face and all the sorrows of the way home be exchanged for the gladness of His presence.

The blessing pronounced, as with lifted hands He ascended from earth's sad scenes to heaven's glorious throne (Luke 24:50), we possess; and from thence "at Thy right hand, pleasures for evermore" (Ps. 16:11) are drawn by faith to gladden our souls and quicken pilgrim steps. Knowing that "Our times are in Thy hand" (Ps. 31:15), "All saints in Thy hands" (Deut. 33:3), and that the "skilfulness of His hands" (Ps. 78:72) ensures the God-ordained glorious finish', we join with the faithful of Ezra's day, and realize the blest reality of commencing and ending too, with "the good hand of the Lord upon us" (Ezra 7:9); while, "in the way" (Ezra 8:22, 31); the enemy is overcome by the same "good hand," and timely help is ministered. So, encouraged by knowing that our names are "engraved on the palms of His hands" (Isa. 49:16), and that His heart of love proposes that in ecstasy of delight we may say, "His right hand doth embrace me" (Cant. 2:6), the glorious coming sight may be anticipated, "On Thy right hand…the Queen" (Ps. 45:9). Blest consummation for our Lord and His redeemed!

Read for further joy of heart Ezek. 33:22; 1:3; 3:14, 22; .8:1; 37:1; and 40:1. We thus conclude, surely, "the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand" (Isa. 53:10), singing, in anticipation,

"I'll bless the hand that guided,
I'll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land."

E. J. Checkley