God stands ready to help you in every facet of your life

In the Bible, it illustrates a story about ‘the man with the withered hand.’ Jesus had just entered the city of Capernaum. It was the Sabbath, and many people where gathered about to see the arrival of Jesus.

Afterward, Jesus visited the synagogue to teach. In the synagogue, there was a man whose right hand was withered, shriv- eled and paralyzed.

The man might have been a stone mason. But because of this limitation, his unusable hand would have had a big effect on how the man could work and earn a living. His potential was diminished. And without his right hand, the man might have had to spend the rest of his life as a beggar.

The city people were all standing around staring at Jesus and possibly wondering, “What will He do?” Jesus looked at the people there in the synagogue. For He knew their thoughts.

Experiencing various emotions, Jesus felt compassion for the man with the withered hand. So He called him over to Him. And Jesus told the man to, “rise up and stand forth.” With obedience and faith, the man with the withered hand went to Jesus. He did as Jesus requested.

Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. (Luke 6: 6-11).

A mighty miracle took place. The healing was immediate, and it was final. And the man had a new beginning.

“And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. . .Then says He to the man,

Stretch forth your hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.” (Matthew 12:10, 13). Are you feeling withered today? Perhaps, you’re in the middle of a challenge or some other affliction. Maybe something has happened that has stopped you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Or fears, a challenge or a past mistake might be blocking you from doing all that you could be doing for God.

But don’t let your heart be consumed with worries or doubt. You’re special in the eyes of God. And He wants you to accomplish the vibrant purposes for which you were created. So do not dwell on unconstructive thoughts. Or that can stop the new things that God wants to do for your future. Hence, if something is hindering you, then it’s time for you to experience restoration. It is time for your new beginning. For God’s sovereign grace can heal, renew and restore. And the One who gave this man a new hand is with you right now, and He will take care of you. Therefore, Stretch out your hand. Let the gifts and anointing of God’s spirit come alive again. For God is working now to turn around adverse situations. And He will “show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Stretch out your hand.

There is no limit as to what you can achieve. God is getting ready to bring you new opportunities, and they will soon present themselves. For, “He will give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” (Psalm 20:4).

Stretch out your hand. Go out each day and live joyously; and in time, you will be wonderfully surprised at what’s in store. Because God can “restore the years that were lost.” (Joel 2:25).

Stretch out your hand. It is not too late. So begin anew and make positive changes. God wants you to have a fresh start. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11).

Stretch out your hand. Do not be moved by your circumstances. God has protected you in the past and will continue to do so in the future. He can “solve and settle… the cases of His people.” (Hebrews 10:30).

God stands ready to help you in every facet of your life if you ask Him. So pray for God’s will, wisdom and guidance. In 1929, the economic downturn of The Great Depression caused a major financial disaster for businessman, James Cash Penney. Through his bad investments in real-estate and banking, the strain of the financial collapse took its toll on the 56-year-old entrepreneur’s health. Weakened in mind, body and spirit, Penney was filled with despair and was soon hospitalized. It seemed as though his plans, his dreams and his life were finished.

But Penney also had great faith in an all-powerful, all-loving God who he knew was with him. So, one day, while Penney was being treated in the hospital, he heard some music coming from the hospital’s small chapel. The encouraging words of the melody caught his attention:

“Be not dismayed, what-e’er betide. God will take care of you . . .”

Hearing those words was a turning point in Penney’s life. He felt the hope of God. And almost instantaneously, the businessman was lifted from hopelessness to hopefulness: from inner turmoil to quiet trust. After that, Penney decided to start over. His health improved, and he went back to work. And before long, he was able to regain control of his empire, and the J.C. Penney’s chain of department stores became one of the most successful retail establishments in America. Moreover, Penney gave millions to charities around the globe.

“There’s not much you can’t achieve or endure if you know God is walking by your side. Just remember: Someone knows, and Someone cares.” (Bill Hybels).

God had a new start for J.C. Penney and, likewise, He has another dream and more victories to come for you.

Perhaps today God is speaking to someone reading this column. If it’s you, God is saying, “Step forward. Stretch out your hand, and I will bless you, and use you to touch the lives of others.” For God is going before you and clearing the path to victory.

There are new dreams, new joys and new blessings for you ahead.