Strengthen Your Hands

Having spent time this past Sunday in the book of Nehemiah, I am reminded again this morning of the response of the people as Nehemiah presented the huge task at hand of rebuilding the wall.  The Word of God says in Nehemiah 2:18, "And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work." In the last month here in Louisiana, I would venture to say that hands have done things they may have never done before. I made a list below of both the ways I have personally had to strengthen my hands or the ways I have watched others strengthen their hands for the good work around them. Perhaps you too can very much relate. Do you remember...

• grabbing hold of the hand of someone in need of rescue from the forceful flood waters?
• gripping a hand of someone rescuing you from the evacuation of your own home?
• squeezing the hand of a stranger who offered a helping hand?
• shaking the hand of a stranger of whose hand you helped?
• wiping the tears flowing from your eyes as you saw the daunting task of so many around you?
• wiping the tears streaming from your eyes as you stood overwhelmed by the daunting task of demoing your own home?
• sorting countless donations to setup for those in need?
• shuffling through countless donations to gather belongings to meet your need?
• yielding a hammer to begin the sheetrock removal of homes invaded with flood waters of varying heights?
• yanking up flooring where you once gathered in your living room for laughter and love?
• Facebooking need after need in hopes of someone being able to help?
• flipping through the pages of Scripture to feast on the Word before beginning another day?
• joining hands together as you positioned yourself for prayer with strangers around you?
• juggling numerous tasks at once for the hope to remain mold-free?
• dragging waterlogged belongings to the curb?
• delivering meals to friends, family and strangers hard at work?
• blowing up air mattresses for those displaced staying in your home?
• bringing cases of water from site to site to quench the thirst of those overcome by the heat?
• opening the tailgate of a friend's truck to transport belongings because your truck was totaled in the flood?
• offering to take the handles of the wheel barrow so someone could take a rest?

And the list could go on and on.  Looking back on August, I feel as if this was the longest month.  But even saying that, I can't imagine what this month has felt for those overcome by the disaster which swept through so suddenly.  

So indiscriminately. 

So overwhelmingly.

Yet, I sit here on September 1 and wonder what still lies ahead.  For what other tasks and good works will I need to strengthen my hands?  What is coming for your hands to accomplish?  And as those answers come, may you be reminded continually of the work our Savior's hands accomplished...so to the point of still carrying the scars from the loving, atoning work He finished to the end.

I don't know how long September will feel, but I know the events of August will still continue to loom nonetheless.  May you today, ask God to help you strengthen your hands for the good works He has laid before you.  And, may His joy consume you as you persevere.  

4Hisfame.