Bethany Bullet-Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The following thoughts come from hearing Dr. Lamb’s sermon at Bethany on Transfiguration Sunday.

“In his hand is the life of every creature

and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10

In the hand of God—it is the best place to be! However, there is an inviting alternative proposed in Job. “There are those who carry their god in their hands.” Job tells us that these people are at ease, undisturbed, and secure.

Who wouldn’t want to be at ease, undisturbed, and secure? Security is at a premium. From our borders, to our homes, to our jobs…we want security. Our own loved ones easily disturb us when we are seeking just a moment of peace and quiet from the mad and sick world in which we live. We constantly find ourselves bombarded with the pain and brutality of life. “On edge”, probably describes us better than “at ease.” Sub-prime loans and foreclosures, the Dow and our portfolio, terrorism and bird flu, hostile corporate takeovers and down sizing, what’s next? For those who carry their god in their hand there is a simple option.

• Are you under appreciated and under compensated at work? Form and fashion is that god in your hand that says to you that you deserve better and are owed whatever it is you can get your hands on in the supply closet or the cash register.
• Arguing constantly with your spouse? Going through the motions of marriage? Just plan bored? Form and fashion, that god in your hand that says to you that marriages are disposable and other spouses are readily available.
• Find yourself with an unexpected pregnancy? Form and fashion, that god in your hand that says that it is your choice, it is merely potential life, and abortion is the way out.
  

Having god in your hand is very attractive. There is only one problem. To fit in your hand it would have to be a very small god indeed. Such a god could never carry you in his hand. But there is a God who can, the One and Only True God. This God formed you with His hand. This God, in the hands of Jesus, redeemed you from all sin…even those, of carrying god in your hand so that you might justify any action.

This God…
+ Has carved you in His palm;
+ Nothing can snatch you from His hand;
+ He will carry you through any and every circumstance in life.

In the hand of God, one large enough to always carry you through everything—that is the place to be—and for the sake of the nail scarred hands of Jesus that is where you are.