May 14

God's Out-stretched Hand
by Ray Prinzing

"For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"                                                 (Isaiah 14:27)

The sovereignty of God, the immutability of His purpose, and the power for its fulfillment bring great hope to us who are so fragile and limited in our human abilities. We rejoice to find in our Lord no limitation or defeat.  The hand of the Lord is stretched out - to right the wrong, correct the situation, balance the score, until righteousness and peace shall be established in the earth.  Nor will He be satisfied with just a partial victory.  Salvation is to be "to the uttermost"  (Hebrews 7:25), and He shall not be satisfied with anything less, nor allow us to settle for less.  Thus the processes continue until we are brought into the very fulness of the measure of the stature of Christ.

The very first usage of this phrase "His hand is stretched out," is in Exodus 3:20), "I will stretch out My hand, and smite Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go."

We know what the purpose was in regards to Israel, it resulted in their freedom from slavery, a deliverance out of Egypt.  But what was the purpose of all this as far as the Egyptians were concerned?  Surely it was more than just the wrath of God being poured upon them.  Yes, for "the Egyptians were concerned?  Surely it was more than just the wrath of God being poured upon them.  Yes, for "the Egyptians SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them."  (Exodus 7:5).  And God's message to Pharaoh was clear, "That thou mayest know that there is none like Me in all the earth... and is very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee My power; and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth."  (Exodus 9:14, 16).

Wonder of wonders, the working of God, both to bring forth victory for those who love Him, but also to reveal Himself to all men, just and unjust.

The outflow of His love and grace
Shall reach to every man,
And none can stay the Hand that works
The fulness of His plan.

 

                                                                                         



Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700


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