In my reading this week, I’ve come across several instances where “the hand of God” is mentioned. For example, in Nehemiah 2:8, Nehemiah’s request to the king has been granted because the hand of God was upon him. And in Acts 11:21, the Lord’s hand was with the disciples in Antioch and a great many people believed and turned to the Lord.

I am asking for this hand of the Lord to be with us. And won’t you join me in this request to the Lord? This kind of request, of course, cannot be for a personal gain or of any kind of impure motive. It must be for the kingdom of God to expand and for His name to be magnified. It is for Christ to be lifted and hearts to turn to Him for comfort and meaning.

The first thing we must do is to throw off anything that hinders us. Whether it’s a “little” sin or a “big” sin, we must throw it off for the sake of the body and the kingdom of God. (Of course, it will go well with us as individuals too!)

Second, we must seek the face of the Lord and His favor. This means prayer. Earnest, daily, prayer for God to do something extraordinary among us for His name sake.

Third, it means we must work together for unity. It was when God’s people got together for a single purpose that the hand of the Lord was upon them. Our work must not be to promote our own individualistic goal or ambition. It must be for the body.

Let this year be a year of growth and seeing the Lord truly work in the midst of us.

Pray so with me….

PH