I’m convinced that hands were meant to be held.  Consider how wonderfully two hands fit together, and how wonderful another’s hand in yours feels.

Generally, when a hand is held, it is held with good intention, bringing special blessings.  Sweethearts hold each other’s hands because they want to maintain contact.  Fathers and mothers hold their children’s hands when in a crowded or dangerous place, or when they want to lead their young ones somewhere.  Loved ones hold the hands of those they love when those they love are hurting.  Teammates clasp hands together in a power grip when a good play is made or a game is won.  We even shake hands upon the conclusion of an agreement, or when greeting or leaving people, both of those we know well and strangers.

Holding hands in one way or another is so common that we rarely consider how special it can be.

But it is special.  And especially for those like me whose “love language” is touch.

This is not lost on the Lord.  In his holy Word he gives us multiple examples of hand-holding.  And not just routine human-to-human hand-holding.  But God himself holding the hands of his beloved people.

Before we dive into that concept, it’s important that we establish another hand-related issue.  Illustrations of the “Lord’s hand” permeate the words of Scripture.  There are literally hundreds and hundreds of examples where “the hand of the Lord” is mentioned. 

It is a hand of limitless power.  The Lord declares, “My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together” (Isaiah 48:13).

It’s a hand that brings destruction to the enemies of God and God’s people, (Jeremiah 21:5), and it is a hand that brings profound blessings to God’s faithful. (Psalm 144:7).

Best of all, God’s hand is a hand that brought about forgiveness (Isaiah 40:1-2) and salvation.  “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psalm 98:1).

Perhaps a sterling summary of this repeated illustration of “God’s hands” is contained in this marvelous psalm of praise:

“The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!’” (Psalm 118:14-16).

But the Bible goes beyond general references to God’s hand.  The Lord makes it much more personal in a number of passages.

The Lord refers to the deliverance he brought to his people when he led them by the hand out of Egypt (Jeremiah 31:32).  It’s a deliverance he still brings to his people. 

In a similar vein, Asaph the psalmist writes about the guidance God gives us by holding our hand, both through this life and ultimately into the life to come! “You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” (Psalm 73:23-24)

Isaiah shows us the Lord holding our hand to comfort us in our fears.  “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).  We need not be afraid because God’s strong hand is one that supports us, no matter the circumstances.  “I cling to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8).

And over-and-over-again, Jesus showed his love for people during his ministry by touching them or taking their hand.  The Savior actually touched an “unclean” leper (which nobody at that time did!) and cleansed him of his disease. (Mk. 1:40-42).  He took Peter’s mother-in-law by the hand, healed her of a fever, and helped her up to her feet. (Mk. 1:30-31).  He held a blind man’s hand in Bethsaida and led him outside the city to have a little privacy as he restored his sight. (Mk. 8:22-25).  He enfolded the hand of Jairus’ dead daughter and raised her back to life. (Mk. 5:38-42).

What incredibly comforting examples of the Lord Jesus actually holding people’s hands!  What a picture for us to treasure, for the Lord still holds our hands as we stumble our way through life. 

And then there’s this stunning revelation from our Savior: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).

Thank you, Lord, for holding my hand!  And thank you, Lord, holding me in your hand, and never letting go!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Isaiah 41:9-10, 13-14

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 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. … For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid … do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Psalm 98:1-6

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn — shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Psalm 73:23-26

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.