All Hands On Deck
Today’s Verse:
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. ~Nehemiah 2:18
When everyone’s help is needed for a task, we use the phrase “all hands on deck.” It implies that the help of everyone is needed, especially when there is only a short period of time to get it done. This morning, we want to look at the importance of the hand as a symbol of work, productivity, and assistance.
There is the sovereign hand.
Nehemiah said, “The hand of my God which was good upon me.” More than anything else, every Christian should desire to have God’s hand on his life. This indicates His approval, His assistance, and His anointing. God’s hand upon us is the difference maker in a task or responsibility. It is the game changer. It determines if we will win or lose. Nehemiah acknowledged that the events that led him to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the wall were because of God’s hand upon his life.
There is the sanctified hand.
James said, “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners.” Before the priests approached the altars to do sacrifices, they had to stop at the laver and wash their hands and feet. God told the prophet Haggai that the work of the people was done with unwashed hands. Hands are a symbol of service. God demands that we serve Him with clean hands. Our service must be pure in motive, proper in manner, and pleasing in its merchandise.
There is the zealous hand.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” When you take on a project, whether for pay or as a volunteer, put everything you have into it. Don’t be half-hearted or leave things half done. Give it 110%! Work hard! Work intelligently! Work scrupulously! Show intensity when you work! Show interest in your work! The goal is to get the project done, return with results, and be an encouragement to the people the project is being done for.
There is the strengthening of the hands.
This means they prepared themselves for hardship, difficulty, and setbacks. They entered into the project with courage, confidence, conviction, and completion in mind. It means they would not stop until the project was finished. Resources and man hours were pledged. These men and women knew that the stakes were high and that they were the ones who needed to get it done. They had no intention of passing the buck to someone else. They took ownership in starting and completing the project of rebuilding walls that were broken down and neglected for a long time. They were saying, “Let’s get it done!”
There is the synergizing of hands.
Synergy refers to two or more forces joining together for the common cause of getting something done. It has the idea that everyone knows the goal and is headed in the same direction. It blends forces together. It is teamwork in action. “Together Everyone Achieves More!” It means, “All hands on deck!”
Don’t leave your hands unattended and at your side! Realize the potential of what your hands can do when they are sanctified, zealous, strengthened, synergized, and sovereignized! Find what it is that you should be doing, and do it with all your might!
Have a zealous God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: John 19-21