The Good Hand of My God Upon Me

Have you ever wondered if God's good hand was upon you? Especially when everything seems to be going against you? Nehemiah was convinced that the good hand of his God was upon him. How may you and I have this same confidence?

Nehemiah had this confidence in God due to the personal relationship he had with God. This is revealed to us in the prayer of Nehemiah that is recorded in chapter 1:4-11. Nehemiah has confessed his sin and then expresses his trust in the covenant promises God had made to His covenant people.

Another reason Nehemiah had such confidence in God was due to the content of His prayer. He did not pray for himself but for the people in Jerusalem and the vulnerability of the city and the Temple of God. His desire was for his God to be honored by the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem which would give protection to the Temple as well as God's people. It would be a good exercise for each of us to examine the content of our prayers. As we pray, are we more concerned for the honor of the Lord or for our own comfort and joy? In the days of Nehemiah a city with a wall was one of significance. God had chosen Jerusalem as His holy city and Nehemiah wanted everyone to know the significance of Jerusalem. Once again, are we more concerned about our own honor or that God would be honored in us regardless of what is going on in our lives.

In Philippians 1:6 Paul writes, "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." God is always at work in His children and His good hand is always upon us. There are times we might not perceive that His hand is good but it always is good.

A Biblical understanding of God's good hand upon us is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." God's good hand is always upon His children.