Editorial Assistance: Allen Bean, Susan Hertzler, Mindy Kroesche, Tami Weissert Cover and Interior Design: Laura Poe Cover Photo: Thinkstock

Transcription

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2 The Hands of God 2004 The Good News Broadcasting Association, Inc. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All italicizing of words and phrases in Scripture quotations are added by the author for emphasis. BACK TO THE BIBLE P.O. Box Lincoln, Nebraska *Suggested Donation: The Internal Revenue Code permits you to deduct the amount you give to Back to the Bible that goes beyond the fair market value of materials we send you. To help you determine the tax-deductible portion of your gift, we ll show on your receipt the fair market value of materials and the tax-deductible portion, along with the total gift amount. Produced with the assistance of The Livingstone Corporation ( Project staff: Neil Wilson and Katherine Cloyd. Editorial Assistance: Allen Bean, Susan Hertzler, Mindy Kroesche, Tami Weissert Cover and Interior Design: Laura Poe Cover Photo: Thinkstock Additional copies of this book are available from Back to the Bible. You may order in the U.S. by calling or through our Web site at In Canada, call or visit ISBN Printed in the United States of America.

3 Meet With God Series The Hands of God Woodrow Kroll

4 Welcome Welcome to another issue of Meet With God. This month we will take a special look at the hands of God. When Thomas was confused about who Christ was, Jesus said, Reach your finger here, and look at My hands (John 20:27). Like Thomas, we can understand God better by considering the way our lives are touched by His hands. The biblical insights you are about to consider have been selected from the radio teaching ministry of Woodrow Kroll. We trust these lessons will provide an ongoing and encouraging extension of the ministry of Back to the Bible in your walk with Christ. You don t have to listen to Back to the Bible to use your study booklet. But if you can listen, the study will be even more powerful. We hope this series will not only encourage you to read the Bible, but also to study it. On the following pages you ll find devotional readings, questions to help you review and meditate on Scripture passages, and practical suggestions for applying the truth of the Bible to your everyday living. Our prayer is that as you use the Meet With God series you will experience rich dividends of biblical knowledge and spiritual growth. 4

5 From the Author We are made in God s image (Gen. 1:26). This idea gives us a great truth and a good illustration. I can speak of God s anatomy just as truthfully as I can speak of my own. In fact, even though I know that God is spirit (John 4:24), I also have God s permission to think and speak of Him in physical terms. This doesn t mean that God is a giant person; it means that every human component reflects a characteristic of God. We must never forget the order of imitation. God isn t like us; we have the privilege of being like Him. We are made in His image. This month we will focus on what God did (and does) with His sovereign, merciful, powerful and nail-scarred hands. We will think about the people in the Bible and others more recently who have experienced God s hand. And we will discover some of the ways God wants us to notice and depend on His hand in our lives. As we begin this month, pray for the willingness to see, feel and seek God s hand in your life. Let s walk hand-in-hand with our loving, heavenly Father in the weeks to come. 5

6 Remember It Answer the following questions on the passage you read this week. See answers below. 1. God answered Job out of a. 2. Which of these constellations does God mention to Job? a. Cassiopeia b. Orion c. Ursa Major d. none of the above 3. Job did not have enough knowledge to answer even one of the questions posed to him by God. True/False 4. Throughout this passage, Job asks God many questions. True/False 5. God asks Job if he s ever entered the treasuries of or. 6 Answers: 1. whirlwind (Job 38:1) 2. b (Job 38:31) 3. True (Job 38:2) 4. False (Job 38:3) 5. snow; hail (Job 38:22) Week One This week, seek to meditate and understand how the sovereign hand of God touches every part of your life. The Hand That Rules Over Us Key Passage: Read Job 38 Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me (Job 38:1 3). Job walked with God through the most difficult circumstances any human can face. He lost his children, his possessions and his health. On top of that, his wife turned her back on him. Through all these trials, Job agonized over God s purpose. In this story we find two misconceptions of God s sovereignty that are still around today. Some people think of God as a bully, because He is in charge but doesn t seem to control. He doesn t stop what we would stop and He doesn t give what we would give. Job says, Does it seem good to You that You should oppress, that You should despise the work of Your hands? (Job 10:3). Others think of God as some sort of distant deity, who doesn t really care about us or involve Himself in our lives. Job s friends thought God related to His world through mechanical rules.

7 In one of these aspects, God lacks integrity; He is just a bully. In the other, He lacks interest; He doesn t care about your life. But both of those concepts are absolutely wrong. God is not a bully. God is not some distant deity, some force out there in the universe. As you read Job 38, God answered Job, but He didn t answer Job s questions. Instead of answers, God gave Job Himself an infinitely better gift. God s response to Job doesn t mean God won t answer any of our questions. His Word is full of answers. But we must realize that God is not required to answer our questions. If He were, that would mean we were sovereign, not Him. Until we can trust God beyond our ability to figure things out, we haven t yet accepted His sovereignty. The fact that you and I can t always see all things working together for good doesn t mean that they aren t. We need to give God time. Our questions to God must always be balanced with a question to ourselves: How am I loving God today? As you read through Job 38, reflect on the following questions: 1. After 37 chapters of arguments and complaints, Job remains silent for two chapters as God speaks. How do you think he was feeling as God asked His questions? 2. How would you describe the central point of God s questions? 3. In what ways do people use questions to keep God at arm s length? Apply It Are there certain relationships or situations in your life where you tend to forget God is in charge? List two or three of them. In the next few days choose to deliberately turn away from doubts and despair and quietly confess that God remains sovereign even when you can t see any particular evidence in your life. Express It Lord, thank You for revealing Your sovereignty. Thank You for Your Word, for reminding me to trust that Your sovereignty includes good plans for me even though I can t always see them for myself. Teach me to be patient, trusting and convinced that You always do what is best for me. 7

8 Remember It Answer the following questions on the passage you read this week. See answers below. 1. Paul asked God times to remove his thorn in the flesh. 2. Paul also called his thorn in the flesh a. a blessing b. a revelation c. a messenger of Satan d. none of the above 3. God s strength is made perfect in our weakness. True/False 4. Paul said that for Christ s sake, he would take pleasure in being persecuted. True/False 5. Paul was given a thorn in the flesh a. because he was weak b. to test his patience c. so that he wouldn t become conceited d. so he could empathize with others 8 Answers: 1. three (2 Cor. 12:8) 2. c (2 Cor. 12:7) 3. True (2 Cor. 12:9) 4. True (2 Cor. 12:10) 5. c (2 Cor. 12:7) Week Two This week, we will look for the strengthening hand of God in our lives. The Hand That Strengthens Us Key Passage: Read 2 Corinthians 12:7 10 And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). One of my favorite examples of the strengthening hand of God is the story of Armando Valladares. Armando was put into prison in Cuba in 1952 because he was a Christian. Castro s regime kept him locked up for 22 years. Executions were staged almost daily. Just to torture him mentally, they told him they were going to kill him. Armando eventually wrote a book entitled Against All Hope, in which he documents everything he went through for his Christian faith. In his book, he says, I sought God. I never asked Him to get me out of there... I only asked that He allow me to resist. That He give me the faith and spiritual strength to bear up under those conditions. I only prayed for Him to accompany me. I think that s pretty amazing. He didn t ask God to remove him from the situation. He never asked God to deliver him. What he asked was to feel God s strengthening hand.

9 Armando s experience echoes the lives of countless believers in Scripture. Many of them faced difficult circumstances from which they were not delivered. The writer of Hebrews says, Others were tortured.... Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented... (Heb. 11:35 37). They discovered God s plan didn t always prevent the pain or the suffering that came to them. Life isn t always pleasant, but it is for our good. Whatever you re going through, let God sustain you. There may be things for you to learn, things for you to do, ways for you to be an example to others as He strengthens you, that you could never learn or do if He simply delivered you. As you read through 2 Corinthians 12:7 10, reflect on the following questions: 1. What was Paul s response when he first recognized a nagging weakness in his life? 2. What was God s response to Paul s pleading? 3. What remained the same and what changed about Paul as a result of this experience? 4. When Paul wrote When I am weak, then I am strong, what did he mean? Apply It What are some examples of God s strengthening hand in your life? In the lives of others? Remember those examples when you are tempted to doubt God s sustaining presence in the face of difficulty. What difficulty are you dealing with right now that needs God s strengthening hand? Ask God to teach you how to wait on His strengthening. Express It Lord, help me to remember to rely on Your strength. Remind me that strength is not about how I feel when times are easy, but about what You do when times are hard. Help me to trust You in all things. 9

10 Remember It Answer the following questions on the passage you read this week. See answers below. 1. God told Joshua to gather stones from the Jordan. 2. The stones were to serve as a to the children of the Israelites. 3. The stones were to be taken a. from the middle of the Jordan River b. from the bank of the Jordan River c. from a field in the Promised Land d. none of the above 4. Joshua was not as respected by the Israelites as Moses had been. True/False 5. Approximately men prepared for war crossed over to the plains of Jericho. 10 Answers: (Josh. 4:3) 2. memorial (Josh. 4:7) 3. a (Josh. 4:3,5,8) 4. False (Josh. 4:14) 5. 40,000 (Josh 4:13) Week Three This week, we will look for the protecting hand of God in our lives. The Hand That Protects Us Key Passage: Read Joshua 4:1 14 Each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you (Josh. 4:5 6). During World War II, a passenger ship sailed from Great Britain to New York. The captain of the ship, being afraid of enemy vessels, asked for the advice of a British admiral. The admiral calmly assured the captain that no matter what happened, he should sail his ship straight ahead. Do not take any detours, continue onward, always heading straight toward the intended mark, he said. After several days of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, which was filled with submarines and enemy vessels, the captain spotted an enemy destroyer off his forward bow. Nervously he called for assistance. The calm voice replied, Keep on straight, do not detour. Everything will be just fine. After a few more days, the ship pulled safely into the harbor of New York City. Shortly after docking, the great British battleship Man-O-War pulled into port behind the passenger vessel. The captain

11 realized that while he had not seen the British battleship, she had been there standing ready to come to his defense should it prove necessary. In 2 Kings 6:8 23, Elisha s servant faced a similar situation. The Syrian army was looking for Elisha and had surrounded the city where he was staying. When the servant saw the multitude of men and chariots, he was distraught. But Elisha reassured him, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them (v.16). Elisha prayed for the servant s eyes to be opened. Suddenly, the servant saw an army far greater than that of the Syrians he saw the army of God! It s the same in our lives. God is standing by. We may not always see His hand, but it is there. Waiting. Bidding us to continue on toward the mark. Keep on going straight ahead. And trust God s protecting hand. As you read through Joshua 4:1 14, reflect on the following questions: 1. Why were the people of Israel crossing the Jordan as described in Joshua 3:17? 2. When did God instruct Joshua to have 12 men pick up stones from the riverbed? What was the significance of the number? 3. What was the purpose behind gathering the stones and carrying them to the camp? 4. Who would benefit from the memory of the event connected with the stones? Apply It Look back over your life. How many stones from the Jordan can you remember? Make it a point to remember those times when God has used unexpected means to guard your life. Express It Lord, thank You for Your protection and provision. I don t want to miss Your presence in my life. Help me pay attention today help me notice the stones You place in my path. And help me to tell the story of Your protection to others who need Your strength. 11

12 Remember It Answer the following questions on the passage you read this week. See answers below. 1. The two men were walking on the road to. 2. Cleopas thought Jesus was a to Jerusalem. 3. As they walked on the road, the two men told Jesus about a. Jesus crucifixion b. the empty tomb c. a vision of angels d. all of the above 4. Jesus revealed Himself to the two travelers while they were still walking on the road. True/False 5. Who first arrived at the empty tomb? a. Peter b. Cleopas c. the disciples d. none of the above 12 Answers: 1. Emmaus (Luke 24:13) 2. stranger (Luke 24:18) 3. d (Luke 24:19 23) 4. False (Luke 24:30 31) 5. d (Luke 24:23) Week Four This week, we will look for the pierced hand of God in our lives. The Hand That Was Pierced for Us Key Passage: Read Luke 24:12 35 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight (Luke 24:30 31). Luke 24 tells of two disciples who left Jerusalem to go to their home in the village of Emmaus. As they walked, they talked about recent events. A lot had happened in one week. Seven days before, Jesus had arrived triumphantly in the city of David. Before the week ended, He had been arrested, tried, crucified and put in a tomb. That very morning, rumors of Jesus resurrection had spread like wildfire. Trudging along, they didn t notice a fellow traveler until He asked them about their conversation and their obvious grief. One of them, Cleopas, couldn t believe someone who had been in Jerusalem would be unaware of the events that had occurred. Upon hearing their account of what had happened, their new companion then proceeded to amaze them with His ability to explain the Scriptures and how

13 they related to the Christ. The trip flew by, and the two convinced the stranger to join them for the night. At supper the stranger, in a very familiar way, gave thanks for the meal and began to break the bread. At that moment, they finally noticed His hands freshly scarred. Then, they knew who He was. Those pierced hands gave Him away. Suddenly, He was gone. Like those disciples, the last thing we notice about God His pierced hands represents His deepest expression of love for us. He was wounded for us, that our wounds might be healed. He suffered in our place, that our sins might be truly forgiven. What do the nail-scarred hands mean to you today? As you read through Luke 24:12 35, reflect on the following questions: 1. How did the two disciples explain to Jesus the events of the previous week? 2. What possible reasons explain the disciples failure to recognize Jesus immediately on the road to Emmaus? 3. What did the disciples mean when they talked about their heart burning within them as they talked with Jesus? 4. What have been some memorable circumstances or insights that have given you a sudden and fresh perspective on Christ s presence in your life? Apply It God s pierced hands demonstrate His personal, intimate involvement in your life. Which of your habits, actions and choices best indicate your personal response to God? If God s Spirit has indicated necessary changes, ask for His help. If God s Spirit has confirmed pleasing efforts on your part, thank Him for His help. If God s Spirit has shown you new opportunities to serve Him, take action and depend on His help. Express It Lord, I am deeply grateful for Your willingness to suffer those wounds on the cross for me. Please help me to never lose awareness of Your pierced hands. Help me to share with others Your wonderful gift of salvation. 13

14 Remember to Pray for: Family Friends Pastor Missionaries Government Officials Salvation of Unbelievers Back to the Bible Christians Worldwide Revival Prayer Journal 14

15 Additional Scriptures for Study 2 Samuel 24:14 1 Chronicles 29:12,16 Ezra 7:28 Psalm 18:35 Psalm 44:3 Psalm 109:27 Psalm 110:1 Psalm 138:7 Psalm 139:9 10 Isaiah 11:11 Isaiah 49:15 16 Isaiah 62:3 Jeremiah 1:9 Jeremiah 18:6 Ezekiel 37:19 John 3:35 John 10:28 Acts 4:28,30 Acts 5:31 1 Peter 5:6 Learn more about this month s topic: Holding the Hand of God Cassettes (set of 3) Item # *Suggested donation $13.00 Canadian price $17.55 CDs (set of 4) Item #8663-X *Suggested donation $12.00 Canadian price $16.20 Transcripts of this series are available at The Heart, Hands and Face of God Woodrow Kroll Let Woodrow Kroll lead you through an exploration of the hands, face and heart of God through this series of devotionals. Each of the three books contains 31 faith-building devotionals that serve as a powerful reminder of God s love for us and His care of the tiniest details of our lives. # *Suggested donation $9.00 Canadian price $12.15 To order: U.S.: call or visit Canada: call or visit 15

16 What can we learn about God from His hands? Quite a lot actually.when we examine what the Bible has to say about the hands of God, we also learn about His character His sovereignty, His strength, His protection and His provision. Throughout this study, we ll consider the ways that our lives are touched by God s hands, which will ultimately lead us to a greater understanding of His heart. Back to the Bible is a worldwide ministry dedicated to leading people into a dynamic relationship with God. Using radio,tv, the Internet and other media, we share the Gospel message and help Christians grow to spiritual maturity. With broadcasts in 25 languages and an Internet reach to millions, Back to the Bible teaches the Word and touches the world. Contact us for more information about Back to the Bible or this series: P.O. Box 82808, Lincoln, NE In Canada: P.O. Box 10, Winnipeg MB R3C 2G

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