Sometimes our hands get tired.
I remember the feeling in my fingers after a full day of
pruning peach trees or picking ripe fruit. During those busy times of carrying buckets or
clipping branches my hands would ache and feel weary, but often in life it’s
fear not fatigue that drains the strength from our grip.
When Jerusalem’s wall had risen to its halfway height, the
opposition launched a full-fledged campaign of fear. Four
times they tried to get Nehemiah to attend a private meeting where they had
more in mind than simple chat, but his RSVP simply said, “I’m busy.” To their fifth invitation, which included
false accusations of conspiracy and revolt, Nehemiah quickly replied, “You’re
crazy!” And he kept on working, well
aware of the enemy’s tactics. ”They were trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their
hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be complete’”(Neh 6:9).
Knowing that anxiety would make him unable to reach his full
potential, Nehemiah prayed an earnest and honest prayer, “Now strengthen my hands”(Neh 10:9). We should often repeat his
request, for fear frequently paralyzes our own progress and causes our hands to
hang limp at our sides. Think about the
things we’re building right now—our marriage, our kids, our friendships, our
relationship with God, our job responsibilities, the organizations and
opportunities we’re involved in—so many projects that need to progress, yet our
fears of incompetence, criticism, and failure keep us from being busy and bold.
Scared hearts result in shaky hands, and we sometimes stop
half-way. But we should not, for when we
need supernatural strength, our God delights to supply. “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 hold you up with my righteous right hand”(Isaiah
41:10).
When our hands need help, God offers
a helping hand—His own.
And His grip will never let go.
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