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| "Within Our Grasp" by Jay Bryant Ward |
Have you heard people say, “He talks with his hands.”? I
have had friends for whom words just aren’t enough to convey what they are
thinking, so they use their hands to further express their thoughts and
feelings.
We all do it. We clap when we are delighted with something or someone. We cover our face with our hands if we are embarrassed. We clench our hands into fists when we are angry. We grasp the hands of those we love and hold on tight when we are afraid. We all talk with our hands—including Jesus!
Yes! Jesus spoke volumes with His hands! The scars of the nails in His hands (John 20:25-27) articulate not only to Thomas but also to us, the sacrificial love that Jesus has for us. “He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death— his death on the cross.” (Philippians 2:8) When we look at His hands, we see the physical expression of the lengths He was willingly went to save us from the penalty of our sins.
Isaiah 49:16 says our names are engraved on the palms of God’s hands, assuring us that God will never forget us; we are always on His mind. When something is engraved, it is cut deeply and permanently into a surface; it is not just ink applied to paper. This verse about God’s hands is a profound declaration of His enduring love for and commitment to us.
There are literally hundreds of verses in the Bible that mention God’s hands. I especially liked Psalm 139:9-10. “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
I find it interesting that God expects us to lift our hands in praise (Psalm 134:2), in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8), and in helping others (Deuteronomy 15:11). Our hands do speak volumes—both to God and to others!
What are our hands saying?
Be encouraged!
©2026 Pamela D. Williams