John Howland came to America aboard the Mayflower. He was only a teenager when he boarded the vessel. One day at sea, a violent storm was brewing, and the captain asked everyone to stay in the belly of the ship. But John, a rebellious youth, felt that he was invincible. The truth was, he couldn’t even swim. Disobeying the captain’s orders, young John was swept overboard by a huge breaker.
We can only guess what John learned about obedience, bobbing up and down in the sea. While pondering his fate, a halyard floated by the hapless pilgrim, and he quickly grabbed it. John Howland was not destined to die at sea. The Pilgrims remarked that the hand of God saved him.
The community of pilgrims loved to talk about the Hand of God in their conversations when they gathered together. We can learn so much from their example, and speak often of His Hand, wherever God has placed us.
And there’s a lot to talk about, for there are many wonderful expressions of God’s Hand working in our lives!
His Hand of Creation
To begin with, He made us! He is our Creator, and we are His creatures. He made us in His image, that we might reflect His glory. The breath you are taking right this moment comes from God. He breathed it into you!
And when you express your individual creativity, whether you are brainstorming, singing, writing, drawing, playing the violin, solving problems, designing or tinkering in the garage – your creative spark was ignited by The Creator.
A match is just a stick of wood and phosphorus until somebody lights it!
His Hand of Comfort
What is the one thing you think that you could never live through? If you ever have to live through that, God’s Hand of Comfort will sustain you. You are never, ever alone. There are places in your heart where no person can go with you, and where you wrestle with the most difficult things in life. The dark night of the soul is endured alone. Except that it isn’t, because when He really is all that you have to turn to, the only way that you can bear your burden and carry on, you will find your life in Him, and He is all you need.
A Hand to Steady You
We live in a culture that often teaches the opposite of what we believe! In these modern times, the celebrity culture has quite an influence on our priorities – more than we think! Excessive youth, cosmetic beauty, fame and riches parade across our television sets. We will be swept along with the current, if we don’t take hold of our distinctly Christian priorities.
The expectations of the workplace often conflict with some of our Christian convictions, too. Everyday at work, we face decisions as a Christian and as an employee. For instance, how can we have the courage of our convictions and refrain from gossip, and not worry that fellow employees might think we are “self-righteous?”
Maybe even our family members and friends have values that are radically different from our own. This can be painful, especially during the holidays. When John and Martha are visiting in our home – do we leave to go attend church? Do we say grace, if they are offended? Do we watch the video they brought along, laced with obscenities?
In a world of competing priorities and expectations, we need an anchor! God’s Hand will reach out to steady us with knowledge of the way, the truth, and the life.
A Hand of Correction
Sometimes our own conscience condemns us. The prodigal son in scripture certainly experienced this when he squandered all his father’s inheritance. It got so bad that he envied the pigs he was hanging out with.
What is the worst thing you’ve ever done? God’s love is much greater than that! If we allow Him to, He will teach us something worthwhile in the midst of our greatest problems. It is important that we keep our hearts open to instruction, listen carefully to what He is saying, and obey Him.
Trust and obedience will always bring hope and restoration.
A Hand to Lead
Sometimes we wish we could see the whole path in front of us, flooded with light. Then we would know everything that is going to happen, and when. But would we want to? Would we want to know the day our spouse will die? Or the day we are going to get cancer, or lose our job?
It would be awfully hard for us to live like that. And we’re not supposed to. We’re supposed to live by faith!
Regardless of the nature of the trial, our Heavenly Father will supply the wisdom and strength that we need – one step, one decision, one chemo-therapy treatment, one exam, one confrontation, one sleepless night…at a time.
A Hand to Restrain
Have you ever felt that you were bent on destroying yourself? What about the last time you tried to stick to a diet, or quit smoking? Have you blown any dust off your New Years Resolutions? A load of temptations and distractions conspire against our best intentions!
It is helpful and encouraging to think of a time when you were very tempted to sin, but didn’t give into it. Perhaps the potential consequences sobered you. Did you come under conviction and heed a still, small voice that said “Don’t do it!?”
We can depend on being given the needed self-control when we turn to God in prayer. He will show us the way out of temptation.
A Hand to Intervene
God is very good at re-arranging things. Just ask the Israelites. With the Egyptians hot on their heels, He dried up their Jordan River, and parted the Red Sea! And then there’s Joseph. Nice brothers he had there! They threw him into a pit, and sold him into slavery. Then God led him into prosperity and deliverance. God loves doing things like this!
How about the widow, Ruth? God intervened in her life and brought her a Kinsman-Redeemer! Good-bye poverty, and living on the edge. Whee…I love happy endings!
These biblical stories show that whatever troubles or obstacles stand in your path – hey, it’s just another little pile of beans for God! Trust that He is more than able to move them out of the way for you. God can turn everything upside down in wonderful, mysterious ways.
Sweeping By Today
When John the hapless Pilgrim was bobbing up and down in the sea, he was suddenly snatched away from danger. The passengers aboard the Mayflower recognized the mighty hand of God sweeping by!
We can follow their example, and learn to live with a greater awareness of God’s hand sweeping through our own lives. Did you see God today? A lot of times, when you stop to think about it, you will realize that you really did see Him. It might be through an encouraging word, a brilliant idea, a special grace, a lesson learned, or uncanny circumstances.