As a small child we always grabbed someones hand before we crossed a road or if we needed guidance so we would not get lost. When we are with small children we do the same thing, guiding them to keep them safe. With elderly people we often hold on to their hand to keep them from falling. In any of these scenarios it is nice to have some guidance to keep someone from losing their way, getting off track, getting lost or falling. We have that offer for us every day, all the time.
The "right hand" is referred to 55 times in Bible verses. Most of us have heard about Jesus sitting at the right hand side of the Father. Jesus sits in the position of honor of a beloved and honored Son. The right hand of God is the place of favor.
Most of us are familiar with Ephesians 1: 20-23, "he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..." Many of us quoted the Apostles Creed growing up quoting, "sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."
Psalm 89: 13, "Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted."
Psalm 63: 8, "I cling to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 60: 5, "Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered." Psalm 98: 1, "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." Isaiah 62: 8, " The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled;" Exodus 15; 6, " Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy." Habakkuk 2: 16, "You will be filled with shame instead of glory. Now it is your turn! Drink and let your nakedness be exposed! The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory."
John Calvin explains what it means for Jesus to sit at the right hand of God. “Christ was invested with lordship over heaven and earth, and solemnly entered into possession of the government committed to him — and that he not only entered into possession once for all, but continues in it, until he shall come down on Judgment Day.”
But what about the other verses about the right hand and the right arm? The right hand is the place of power. Jesus at the right hand of God has all the power in heaven and on earth. Lamentations 2: 4, "Like an enemy he has strung his bow; his right hand is ready. Like a foe he has slain all who were pleasing to the eye; he has poured out his wrath like fire on the tent of Daughter Zion." Revelation 1: 16, "In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." Psalm 16: 8, I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
The old English word for “right,” means: just, good, fair, proper, fitting, straight. In the Bible, figuratively speaking, most verses consider the "right side" to be good and proper, and the left to be weak or foolish. This does not mean our left hands/arms are evil! It was a matter of definition.
Isaiah 41: 13, "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Not only can the right hand mean a place of honor but it also refers to giving strength where needed. Psalm 18: 35, "You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great." This verse is an encouragement to the people of Israel. It is a promise that God will hold our hand and guide us. We have nothing to worry about because He will help us.
God's hand has shown us salvation in Psalm 17: 7, "Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.” God's hand shows us strength in Psalm 18: 35, "You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me: your help has made me great.” God's hand has shown us victory in Psalm 20: 6, “Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand." God shows us His Righteousness in Psalm 48: 10, "Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness."
Isaiah 41: 13, "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Not only can the right hand mean a place of honor but it also refers to giving strength where needed. Psalm 18: 35, "You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great." This verse is an encouragement to the people of Israel. It is a promise that God will hold our hand and guide us. We have nothing to worry about because He will help us.
Because of where God sits He alone is worthy of our highest praise! Next time you stumble, remember that the powerful hand of God is holding your hand and walking you through life—all the way home!
"Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand; But I know who holds tomorrow And I know who holds my hand." —Stanphill
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