Waiting for a Hand Out

> Source: Dr David Jeremiah
> Handshaking began among ancient German duelists as a signal of peaceful
> intentions. They couldn't draw swords with outstretched hands. An open
> hand signified friendship. A closed hand may signal a closed heart and a
> closed fist greed and selfishness.
>
> Let's make this the year of the open hand. Ask yourself, "What is in my
> hand that I am unwilling to give up?" Are your fingers open, stretched
> upward, releasing everything to God and ready to receive all He wants to
> give you? Or are you grasping onto life with a death-grip?
>
> A trapper devised a monkey-trap using a hollow gourd into which peanuts
> were poured through a small hole. The monkey would reach in and grab the
> peanuts, but the hole was too small to remove his closed hand. Unwilling
> to release his treasure, the monkey was caught.
>
> What are you tightly grasping . . . unwilling to give to the Lord? A
> relationship, possession, plan? An attitude of bitterness? Perhaps God
> isn't able to bless you because your hand isn't open to receive.
>
> Are you burdened by a difficult problem in your life? Open your hands and
> turn it over to the Lord. Give it to Him-all your fears, worries, anxiety.
> Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.
>
> Give Him those sins that you can't seem to beat. Confess them, and ask Him
> to forgive and cleanse you. Give Him those precious things that you're
> clutching. An open hand signifies willingness-your willingness to part
> with your struggles, yourself, your sins.
>
> Generosity
> An open hand also signifies generosity. The wise woman in Proverbs 31
> "opens her hand to the poor" (RSV).
>
> One of my greatest childhood memories involves something my mother did
> every Saturday night. She got out all the bills and put them on the table.
> Then she opened the checkbook, and the first check she wrote was always to
> the church. I watched her week after week give the firstfruits to the
> Lord.
>
> Will your children have similar memories? Spiritual giving begins in the
> heart with "I want to." It's translated to the head where it says, "I
> will." Then it opens the hand and says, "I'm doing it." This
> open-handedness can begin with your very next act of obedience and
> service. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind . . . not
> reluctantly . . . for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7
> Amplified Bible).
>
> Receptivity
> It's hard to receive a gift when your hands are closed. God's hands are
> open: "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing."
> The most graphic example of open hands was Jesus on the crossbeam of
> Calvary to receive the nails that affixed Him there for us. It is His
> nature to give with open, nail-pierced hands.
>
> If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
> much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who
> ask Him! Mathew 7:11
>
> What does God want to give you that He can't because your hands are
> closed? Open your hands so He can bless you. What could you be giving God?
> Open hands signify endless possibilities; closed hands equal no
> possibilities.
>
> Remember the woman whose hands-and heart-were ready to open themselves
> toward Jesus. And Jesus was ready to abundantly give. "Whoever drinks the
> water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall
> give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into
> everlasting life," He said (John 4).
>
> The woman replied, "Sir, give me this water."
>
> The Lord wants to give us more peace, love for Him and others, patience,
> joy, and self-control. He longs to give you a new start in humility,
> generosity, and receptivity. But He is waiting for a hand out. Just say,
> "Lord, I can't open my hands by myself, but with Your help I'm willing to
> stretch out my fingers toward You."
>
> Useful link: www.DavidJeremiah.org