Monday, June 1, 2009

Covered by His Hand by Ann Elaine Broughton

"When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by" (Exodus 33:22 NIV).

In this selection God is speaking to Moses after Moses has asked God to show him His glory. He tells Moses that nobody can see God's face and live so he protects Moses in a way that we can envision it. To me it is a tender hand that covers Moses so that he will not die. It is this hand of God that is full of compassion.
Just as Moses was covered by God's hand, I like to envision God's hand covering me in protection when the world seems caving in around me with hardships, sickness, or anguish. When troubles abound and there seems no place to hide from them, it is nice to know that we are in God's hands and that he will see us safely through them if we trust Him. After all, even Jesus when He was dying, called out to His father saying, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Jesus knew that His father would take care of Him and we too should follow Jesus' example. We must surrender ourselves into God's hands and believe He will cover us with his love and compassion. Another verse of reassurance that will help you during life's tough times is Psalm 91:14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."
Instead of he and him put your own name in these verses. The Lord cares about you and you must believe that you are covered by His hand and will deliver you.
Dear Lord,
It is so comforting to know that during each day you are with us and that you are covering us with your hands full of love and compassion. Help us to trust you with our lives each day and commit our lives to you just as Jesus did.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

“ And not only this, but we also exult in tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven cha...