In Your Hand
The hand is an amazing thing. Contrary to ‘popular belief’, in some circles, the human hand is not an implement that ‘evolved’ over eons of time, nor is it the result of trial and error. God designed and created the hand when man was created. This is easily proven by Gen. 3:22 when man, because of his sin, was about to be banished from the Garden of Eden. Adam was created with a fully developed, totally functional hand. God knew if Adam and Eve were allowed to remain in the Garden, man would “put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.”
According to Britannica, the hand is: a grasping organ at the end of the forelimb of certain vertebrates that exhibits great mobility and flexibility in the digits and in the whole organ. It is made up of the wrist joint, the carpal bones, the metacarpal bones, and the phalanges. The digits include a medial thumb (when viewed with the palm down), containing two phalanges, and four fingers, each containing three phalanges. The article also points out that in humans, the hand is primarily for “manipulative function”. The opposing thumb, in conjunction with the fingers allows for much dexterity, not accomplished with God’s creation not given hands.
Even without this ‘technical’ information and definition, we know the hand is a remarkable tool. The infant first begins to grasp with the hand while still in the womb. After entrance into the world, the child discovers much with his or her hand. They discover how to hold, pick up, and control objects. This is training that is much needed as they learn to do the things to navigate life. Therefore, the mind must be ‘trained’ and educated properly so it can direct the hands appropriately. The idea of having something “in your hand” is to have control over it, perhaps possess it, and to be a manipulator of whatever it is. This is applicable literally to tools, or items that can be grasped for various uses, and figuratively regarding certain intangible things.
This is likely the idea conveyed in Psalm 119:109 where the Spirit had the psalmist write that his soul was under his control. This was why the psalmist continually dedicated himself to the “Law of the Lord”. He penned: My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. Each individual is to be in control of, and has responsibility for his or her own soul. This is clearly seen in Ezek. 18:20 as God sent His prophet to warn His O.T. people, Israel. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
The New Testament also teaches that same concept. In Gal. 6:6-7 we read how each has responsibility for their own eternity. Each has a choice in how they live. ‘Sowing’ is what we do in this life. The ‘reaping’ is what each is to receive as a result of how they lived that life. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. None should think God is going to be partial. This passage says that God is not mocked. In Col. 3:24-25 the Christians in Colossae were reminded of this. The Spirit had Paul write: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
This is why it is important to address any needs we have while still in this realm. After we pass from this life, we cannot change the direction we have taken or alter the reward or punishment we have brought upon ourselves. The Spirit had Solomon pen the Words of Eccl. 9:10 for our benefit. The hand, this magnificent tool, is only intended for our use while we exist in these physical bodies. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. This also means that we must attend to the needs of our soul while we have opportunity. Since there is no work in the grave, we cannot exert any effort after we die. Whatever shape our soul is in when we pass from this life, in such a state it will remain for eternity.
The Spirit had Paul write in Phil. 2:12 to instruct those brethren to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. The same applies to man today. At the beginning of the church in Acts chapter 2, we see the conclusion of the first gospel sermon in the ‘church age’. Acts 2:40 reads: And with many other words did he testify and exhort saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. In the verse that follows, we see what those who now realized that their ‘soul was in their hand’ did. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Today, your soul is in your hand. Take responsibility! Where you spend eternity is determined by how you respond to the Word of God. How are you sowing now? What will you reap for evermore? Do ‘with thy might’ now, that which God’s Word declares one must do to prepare for eternity. As Christ said in John 9:4 – the night cometh, when no man can work.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
