Life Through the Lens: On the other hand...

This post was contributed by Kevin Schrapel, and is the author’s personal opinion.

Last week I wrote about the promise from a loving God written in his word, the Bible, where it says “see, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands”.

I suggested looking at the lines of your hand and giving some of the lines names to help you remember and think about the promises God has made: the forgiveness line, the love and friendship line, the wisdom line, the line for understanding.

This week let’s think about the other hand and more promises God makes to us.

‘I am your strength’

Ever feel that life is beating you down – we all have those days – and you wonder if you have the strength or interest to keep going?

A follower of God who armies had chased wrote, “the Lord is my strong defender; he is the one who has saved me; he is my God, and I will praise him” (Exodus 15:2).

‘I hear you when you talk to me’

God doesn’t expect fancy words or flowery language.

He loves us to tell him our problems, our joys, what excites us.

Surprisingly, he is even interested when we might be bored.

A great king who trusted God once wrote, “Not sure how to talk to him? Tell him that too” (Psalm 66:19).

‘I will fight for you’

Feel like the world is picking on you?

There is a song with the words, “When God is on my side, who can be against me?”

These words come from his word: “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord, your God himself, will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 3:22).

Sometimes it might feel as if he’s not fighting.

But with God, a promise is a promise, never to be broken.

We need to believe him.

‘I will never leave you alone’

Despite all the multimedia, Twitter, texting, et cetera, there has never been more loneliness in the world.

People we thought were friends let us down.

Families we expected always to be there with support fall apart.

Choose a line on your hand to constantly remind you.

God says, “Be sure of this: that I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

‘I will give you peace’

How often do we long for peace?

The world, the media, peoples of all colours and creeds constantly talk about the need for peace.

Sadly it is often made as a demand, “We must have peace!” and we go searching.

But a caring God makes an offer – no demands, an offer.

“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my special peace that I give you” (John 14:27).

Look at your hands.

God has two hands.

Remember, you are carved into each one.

He cannot forget you.

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