In the Palm of God’s Hand

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

'Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.' Isaiah 64:8

We have seen those pictures by trick photography where the subject would stick out his palm and a miniature image of himself or others would be standing on the palm. That image does not impress me. It connotes control or lording over the other person. It makes the person standing on the palm look so small.

Instead there is an old Irish Blessing that goes like this: 

"May the roads rise to meet you,

May the wind be ever at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields,

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand".

I was particularly struck by the last phrase, 'May God hold you in the palm of His hand.' It is an endearing, refreshing feeling that God will care for us in such a way that he holds us in the palm of His hand.

There is also another imagery of God's hands upon us and that is the interaction of the Lord as the potter and we, the clay. The potter painstakingly moulds the clay into shape. The clay is at first nondescript without form or definition. Yet the potter already visualises the final product; using his hands moulds and defines the clay, smoothening and embellishing it; giving the clay shape and character.

For permanence and glaze, the product is not finished until it is fired inside a kiln. The Bible speaks often about a test of fire, wherein anything without value, will be eventually burnt. That which is intended to last for eternity will come out of the fire a finished product, brilliant and unique.

Once, I attended the Ministry of Education’s investiture for new school principals. The theme of the appointment ceremony was “Through Your Hands Passes The Future Of Our Nation”. This slogan encapsulates the vocational calling of teachers and educators. 

The first paragraph of the letter of appointment to these principals read, "In your charge are many lives in the making, each one different, every one important, all with hopes and dreams for the future. They depend on you to guide, mould and nurture them to become better individuals and useful citizens."

The hand of God shaping, guiding and comforting us is often spoken of in the Bible:

'You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.' Psalm 16:11

'My times are in Your hands;' Psalm 31:15a

'The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hands.' Psalm 37:23-24

'Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depth you are there....even there Your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.' Psalm139:7,8 and 10

'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.' Isaiah 41:10

'Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..' Isaiah 49:16a

'I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.' John 10:28

'Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,' 1 Peter 5:6

In 2008, Pat and I were at Li Jiang, Yunnan Province, China. All around the countryside, there is the surrounding presence of the beautiful, majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountains with its ice-capped peak. The scenery is magnificent and the mountains make me recall the commanding presence of the Lord and Psalms 121. 

'I lift up mine eyes to the hills and I wonder from where comes my help? My help, it comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let you stumble, He will not let you fall, the Lord is your keeper. The sun will not strike you by day nor the moon by night, the Lord will keep your life.' Psalm 121:1-2 and 6-7

The Irish Blessing wishes the best for us, everywhere we go, anywhere we wander, that God will keep a constant watch over us. 

And so may I wish that you will ever be found 'In the palm of God's hand.' 

Lionel

Updated 1st published 31 Dec 2008