Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
Psalm 37: 23-24
Our steps are made firm by the Lord,
when he delights in our way;
though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand.
The key message we are receiving during the Corona virus pandemic is ‘wash your hands!’. It’s not that we didn’t wash our hands before, but now we know just how essential good hygiene is. In fact, our hands are becoming sore with all that washing, but we must continue to follow the guidelines, singing our song of choice as we do!
There are many references to ‘hands’ in scripture: hands raised in praise, hands placed or put, hands spread out, hands held up, hands toiling, hands laying on and hands blessing. There are skilled hands, expert hands, unwashed hands and, famously, washed hands. As we carry out this procedure during the pandemic may we be consciously thankful for all that we have received from the hands of others. May we pledge ourselves afresh to be God’s hands in the world. God says our names are written on his hands; may we humbly rest in his promise.
‘In His Hands’ by Deborah Ann Belka
Sometimes problems come, changing all our plans…
making it ever clearer all things are in God’s hands.
Hands that long to hold, to comfort and to console
hands that want to heal the ache within the soul.
Hands that desire to reach, far into the heart and mind
hands that hold perfect peace for anxious ones to find.
Hands that crave to embrace, grieving hearts in the night
hands that hunger to lead the lost into His saving light.
Hands that are capable, hands confident and sure
hands that calm the storms hands that holds life’s cure.
Sometimes problems come, and we must change our plans
so that we may come to rest…
in His almighty hands!
‘In His Hands’ © 2013 Deborah Ann Belka, https://poetrybydeborahann.wordpress.com/.
Reflection © 2020 Maggie Stirmey.
A printable version of this Daily Devotional can be downloaded from here
All material within this order of worship is reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356