36. Held in His Hand

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Proverbs 27:1

It has been said, “I do not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”

In days that are uncertain, it is good to know that a preeminent, wise, controlling hand is active in the past, present, and future circumstances of our world. The same hand that stretched out the heavens and that directs the forces of nature is the hand that is able to direct the hearts of men and the circumstances of our life. That hand may allow sin to lift up its ugly head; it may allow Satan to do his dreadful work; it may allow sorrow into the lives of His people; yet we know that all these things work together to ultimately result in the fulfillment of God’s master plan.

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“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:9-10

Those who know God have a guiding and protecting hand with them wherever they may be.  (See also Ps. 18:35; 73:23; Isaiah 41:13; 42:6; John 10:28-29)

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“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no manis able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

The children of God have the blessed assurance and security of the preserving hand of the Father and the Son.

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“Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16

Our God is the great Provider. When we are in need, we have a providing hand that takes care of His own.

34. Your thoughts “of Christ”

May I be filled with the
Love of Christ…Ephesians 3:19
Peace of Christ…Colossians 3:15
Word of Christ…Colossians 3:16
Mind of Christ…1Corinthians 2:16
Glory of Christ…2Corinthians 8:23
Meekness and gentleness of Christ…2Corinthians 10:1
Power of Christ…2Corinthians 12:9
Work of Christ…Philippians 2:30
Fulness of Christ…Ephesians 3:19

What comes to mind? when you consider the…

Gospel of Christ
Cross of Christ
Ministers of Christ
Grace of Christ
Blood of Christ
Riches of Christ
Gift of Christ
Body of Christ
Afflictions of Christ
Reproach of Christ
Sufferings of Christ
Name of Christ
Doctrine of Christ
Priests of Christ

5. “Bondage to Blessing”

“I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11

When sinners come to the Savior, they find a bright future. When saints return from backsliding, they find a forgiving father. The following could be applied either way… I’ll give a few of the thoughts that have come to me, and you can fill in more!

 

  • “A future and a hope” 29:11
    • At one time when we were “without Christ” we were “without hope.” (Eph 2:12)
    • After finding Christ, we have hope that is an anchor (Heb 6:19), armor (1Thes. 5:8), blessed anticipation (Tit 2:13), and it can be abounding (Rom 15:13)
  • “ye shall find me” 29:13-14
    • At one time we sought not God (Rom 3:11) and God’s truth was hidden to us (Luke 10:21, 2 Cor 4:3)
    • Now in Christ we discover wonderful things:
      • hidden life in God (Col 3:3)
      • hidden wisdom in Christ (Col. 2:3)
      • hidden revelations of God’s eternal plan (Col 1:26)
  • “your fortunes” 29:14
    • Christ met us in our poverty and became poor, and through His povery we become rich. (2Cor 8:9) He who said “shew me a penny” showed us His love in the giving of Himself. Now we can take up the work of “making many rich” (2Cor 6:10).
  • “gather you” – Fellowship 29:14, 30:21
    • Throughout our Bible we learn time and again that sin separates. But God gathers us unto Himself and with His people.
    • “who would dare risk his life to approach Me?” says the Lord. Yet consider what He has brought us into!
  • fearless 30:10
    • Once we feared God’s presence. But as believers God has not given us a spirit of fear (2Tim 1:7). Perfect love casts out fear (1John 4:18)
  • fortification 30:10
  • forgiveness, healing 30:17, 31:34
    • In Christ, the incurable is cured, the unbridgeable is spanned, the unlovable is loved, the imperfect is perfected, the unknowable is known.
  • favor and love 31:3
    • Accepted in the beloved! Eph 1:6 “Behold what manner of love”! 1John 3:1
  • fruitful 31:5
    • Once we, like Onesimus, were unprofitable (Rom 3:12)
    • Christ, in death, has brought forth much fruit. (Jn 12:24)
    • Now we can be fruitful in knowledge (2Pet 1:8), holiness (Rom 6:22), the Spirit (Gal. 5:22– love, joy, peace…), goodness, righteousness & truth (Eph 5:9), good works (Col. 1:10), worship (Heb 13:15).
    • After the fall of man, the earth did not bring forth her fruit as it once did, and the tree of life could not be eaten. One day the tree of life will be seen again and this time enjoyed. (Rev. 22:2)
  • “I am a father” 31:9
    • “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!” 1John 3:1

  • ~NB