What’s in Daddy’s Hand?

Many a young child has excitedly played the game of “Guess What’s in My Hand” with their fathers. Daddy comes home with the words, "I have a surprise for you.” With a closed fist he asks, “What's in my hand?” The child proceeds to guess and then will often begin to attempt to pry at daddy's hand to get a peek of the surprise inside. The game can go on indefinitely as a child searches his/her mind for what treat daddy may have brought home. Peals of laughter often accompany the attempt. The process of finding the gift is often more fun and rewarding than the actual receipt of it.

Scripture tells us that our lives and times are in the hands of God. King David confidently stated “But I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in Your hands.” (Psalm 31:14-15a AMP) We can walk securely in this truth and face every unknown in our lives with the same confidence that God is taking care of us. He has even inscribed us in the palm of His hand. “Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands.” (Isaiah 49:16a AMP) All the plans that God has for us are in this secure hold.

There comes a time, like in this child's game, to ask God to open His hand and show us the way that we should go. “Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.” (Psalm 143:8 AMP) We need wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit for each step that we are to take. “A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” (Proverbs 16:9 AMP) God’s order and perfect plan are what we truly seek.

As we enter this phase of prayer we can confidently know that only good things are in the Father's hands. “Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].” (James 1:17 AMP) As Jesus taught He asked, “What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!” (Luke 11:11-13 AMP) God may give us something different, yet even better than what we have asked for. We have every reason to be confident of the Heavenly Father’s love and good intentions toward us.

It is God's expressed will that we seek the riches of His wisdom. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.”  (Proverbs 25:2 AMP)  As we continue to pray He will reveal all things to us. When we have searched for and finally see the fullness of God's plan for our lives we will experience the same excitement that causes a child to squeal with joy when daddy's hand opens and the gift is made apparent.

The hand is not clenched too tight, even if it appears to be so. God is waiting to release the answers to us as we pray. We must simply be obedient and continue to seek Him. “Also [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up).” (Luke 18:1 AMP) There is no cause for worry and concern. “Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” (Luke 12:32 AMP)

Life’s situations may appear bleak and the path ahead difficult at best. We must keep praying with childlike faith and we will receive the answer. “At that time Jesus began to say, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [and I acknowledge openly and joyfully to Your honor], that You have hidden these things from the wise and clever and learned, and revealed them to babies [to the childish, untaught, and unskilled]. Yes, Father, [I praise You that] such was Your gracious will and good pleasure.” (Matthew 11:25-26 AMP) Daddy will open His hand and reveal His perfect will to us.

God is inviting you to seek His will for each step of your life. Pray and search for what is in His hand.