Sunday Worship - 28.06.2020

The Hands of the Lord

by Deacon Crimson

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First Reading: Psalm 40: 1- 4

Second Reading: Isaiah 59: 1 – 2

Gospel Reading: Matthew 8: 1-3

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Dear Brethren,

Greetings to you from Church of Christ the King, Libya.

1. The Saving Hands:

Psalm 40:2

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

It was a rainy day in July 2009. I was returning from Debre-Birhan, Ethiopia to Addis for the flight. I saw a small crowd gathered by the road side. They were trying to save a donkey which was sinking into the miry clay. Despite the rain, and a dangerous mire, the owner of the donkey and his two boys jumped into the wet clay. They started sinking and there was much commotion. But the people threw a rope and managed to save the men along with the donkey.

The more we try to save ourselves from the miry pit, we sink. We are saved because God lifts us and places us on the mighty rock ,our Lord Jesus Christ. There would be no more stumbling no more drowning.

Job 22: 3

What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways were blameless?

Many times, we think that our righteousness and our way of life will redeem us. This particular verse above verse proves that our perception is wrong. We are saved because God is merciful.

Jesus Christ is our good shepherd. He risked everything for our sake and sacrificed himself. And despite the real fact of our unprofitable unrighteous estate, he stretched out his hands and lifted us.He saves us despite our weaknesses and wrong doings.

2. The Providing Hands:

Numbers 11:20-23

The LORD answered Moses, Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.

When the people of Israel were passing through the desert, they wanted meat to eat. Moses was in trouble to provide this. The above verse is Lord's response to him through the particular verse. And the Lord brought quail in abundance which they consumed for months. The meat of quails was the people's desire. The Lord hands provided them with meat in the desert. There was also some punishment in this area because they simply saw the quail and not the Lord who had provided it for them.

Our Lord provides our desires even in difficult situations. Our focus must not be on the desired things but on the provider.Therefore, whenever we get a blessing from the Lord, we should always remember and thank the Provider.

3. The Hand that cleanses:

Mathew 8: 3

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing", he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

This is about the person who was infected by leprosy. According to the Old Testament Law lepers were separated from the common society and they would lead a life far away from the city. They would not be allowed into any public gathering. But when the crowd left, after the sermon of the mount, the leprous person came to Jesus for healing. Jesus Christ could have said a word to heal him. But instead Jesus touched him and he was healed instantaneously. What about our own condition? The Bible says in...

Jeremiah 17: 9

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

This is the true nature of our hearts. But as we look upon Lord Jesus there is healing and cleansing. The precious blood that was shed from those pure hands can bring salvation for us today. Shall we ask the Lord to cleanse and heal us?

Prayer

Loving Father, We thank you for your wonderful hands that save, protect, provide, heal and cleanse us. Many a time, we are unclean and found in the miry pit. Lord, save us and set our feet on the Rock. Thank you Jesus for your precious blood and Lord make us clean. Amen

Bible Readings Referred

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