Today is one of those “word” days. I get them from time to time; a day when God drops a word into my mind like a coin into a bank. The word for the day is “hand”.
I combed the scriptures, of which there are many, that have to do with the hand. There are passages about man’s left hand and right hand, the hands of oppressors, the hand of the enemy; but more than any other, there are scriptures talking about the mighty hand of God.
This one in particular stood out to me:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time.
1 Peter 5:6 (KJV)
Last month, my blog friend, Elaine, wrote a post called “Anonymous“. [As an aside, you should just head right on over to her blog, Peace For the Journey, when you’re done here. Oh my WORD, that girl can write and the Lord will bless your socks off through her! Okay, as I was saying…] She discussed the “hidden” seasons of our lives, when we go about the mundane of our daily lives, seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of things, to the world at large. This scripture made me think of her post and the way most of us experience being “hidden” at one time or another.
I decided to break down the scripture. Here’s what I found:
- Humble yourselves: tapeinoō – to make low, bring low
- therefore: oun – accordingly, these things being so
- under: hypo – by, under
- the mighty: krataios – of the mighty power of God
- hand: cheir – applied to God symbolizing His might, activity, power in…upholding and preserving (God is present protecting and aiding one).
- of God: theos – spoken of the only and true God; the Godhead, Trinity
- that: hina – in order that, so that
- He may exalt: hypsoō – to lift up high, to exalt, to raise to dignity, honor and happiness
- you: hymas – you, for your sakes
- in: en – in, by, with
- due time: kairos – due measure, the right time, opportune or seasonable time, at the divinely appointed time. [i]
Here is my takeaway:
If we are going through a time of being “hidden”, we need to take comfort in the fact that we are hidden under God’s mighty hand. If we humble ourselves and make ourselves low, we can embrace the fact that we are not stuck under God’s thumb, seemingly unable to move forward, but are being preserved and protected, sheltered and grown until the right time, the divinely appointed time when He will scoop us up and lift us high.
Joyfully LAY LOW to, in His time, be RAISED HIGH.
All the while, you’ll enjoy both the covering and the foundation of His MIGHTY HAND.
Amazing for this morning my quiet time reading was the book of James. I reached James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
I thought to myself, I thought this scripture said mighty hand of God, so I went to my concordance and jaunted right on over to 1 Peter 5:6.
How cool is that? Today, you and I, Florida to Kansas, in the same scripture?!!
Love ya!
You ROCK Girlfriend.
Yolanda
AWESOME WORD! Did I say AWESOME? Yes, I believe that I did. This so perfectly fits with what Alicia is talking about in her book, Anonymous. You must get it, along with the corresponding study guide. God is blessing me beyond measure in my private times of devotion via this study. I can’t wait to share it with the women this fall.
You are a dear for “hanging this bag” on your mailbox tonight for me. (see latest post). Honestly, I did not have the strength or the wherewithall (is that one word?) to write today, and have thought of throwing in the towel. From God’s lips through your pen, I think I’ll keep at it a while longer.
I know you are going to hear Beth in TX. Is that this weekend? How I wish I could be there. Not so much for her (although I do dearly love me some Beth), but so that I could spend some time with you.
peace~elaine
This is such a precious word for me today! I know God is calling me to start a new ministry, but I also know that I need to wait on His timing and be patient. This is refreshing to know that while I’m waiting,I’m growing and being molded for the time He will reveal.
Sweet words from the Lord! Thanks!
You are the BEST! That was awesome!
Thank you Lord for the word today/yesterday. I needed it today.
I love it. He will lift us high if we humbly bow down.
Hugs,
Fran
I love, love, love this verse and often come back to rehearse it in my heart, in my mouth and in my mind!!
Good Word!
pat
I love the thought of God having a hand. I love that He leads us by the hand. I can just imagine Him taking our hand into His own. It’s so personal; so tender. What an amazing God we have!
Kathleen