the hand of the Master

Why should I fix my eyes upon His hand?

Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their masters...
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us.
Psalm 123:1-2 NKJV

These are the ways God uses His hands...

The Hand of Supply
God gives us our daily bread.
His grace is sufficient.
We receive everything we need
in abundance when we have faith,
trusting first in Him and not of ourselves.
And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NKJV

The Hand of Direction
God prepares, designs and appoints us
​to a specific work, giving our life purpose
He will also show us and teach us
each step along the way,
if we will only ask.
We rarely get a view of the whole picture,
but rather, one piece at a time
as we show obedience
stepping out in faith, one breath at a time.
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

The Hand of Protection
God knows when we face opposition
for following Him,
when we are questioned
for doing what He directed.
If we are wronged, injured
or even persecuted,
our God will always defend us,
and be on our side.
For Jesus even said it will happen...
I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing.
If the world hates you,
know that it hated Me before it hated you.
John 15:5, 18 NKJV

But He also promised...
But be of good cheer,
​I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

The Hand of Guidance
God sees us when we are weak,
He knows our imperfection
and doesn't expect
that we will be able to finish
what only He started.
He longs to guide us,
to strengthen us,
to calm our fears and reassure our doubts.
His is the hand that reaches down and
guides us back when we are lost.
The Lord will guide you continually,
and satisfy your soul in drought,
and strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11

The Hand of Correction
Just as a good parent will not let a child
run headlong into danger,
this Master must stop us when we stray.
And that often comes with correction.
Actions will always have consequences.
Wrong actions, quickly corrected
can turn a life around, if we are willing
to admit, to submit, and to
humble our hearts before this Hand.
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when He corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those He loves,
just as a father corrects a child
in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12

This should make us glad...
As you endure this divine discipline,
remember that God is treating you
as His own children.
Who ever heard of a child
who is never disciplined by its father?
If God doesn’t discipline you
as He does all of his children,
it means that you are illegitimate
and are not really his children at all.
Hebrews 12:7-8

The Hand of Healing
God is merciful and ever watching us.
He knows the moment we feel hurt or harmed;
whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual.
He is aware of our illness and injury
and is more than able to heal and bring us
to complete wholeness.
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:5

And...
He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds you are healed.
1 Peter 2:24

Ever He speaks...
I will comfort those who mourn,
bringing words of praise to their lips.
May they have abundant peace,
both near and far,
says the Lord, who heals them.
Isaiah 57:18-19

So...
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Proverbs 3:7-8

The Hand of Reward
God longs for us to live
a much more satisfied life.
He points us toward setting our sights
on the things of heaven
rather than the riches of earth, for these
only rust and decay, not lasting eternally.
For our citizenship is in heaven,
from which we also eagerly wait for
the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ...
Philippians 3:20

So...
Seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting
at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2

Even Jesus said...
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:12

So is the question still...
Why should I fix my eyes upon His hand?
Or rather...
Am I willing to consider myself
a humble servant of God
​and He my Master?

Do I understand that I am also an heir,
a child of God, whom He desires,
reaching His merciful hand toward us...
holding ours, each step of the way
through this life?

Word of God
train me, today...
To empty my hands, ever ready to be raised; One to grasp Yours and be guided,
The other to be ever held high in praise!

To know that You are a faithful God
​who longs to...
Supply,
Direct,
Protect,
Guide,
Correct,
Heal, and
Reward me
with Your holy hand!