Kept in His Hand

January 9

We cannot count ourselves blessed if we alone are blessed. It is the longing of our hearts to rest in the assurance that those we love, those to whom we have witnessed the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, are also blessed. We long not merely for temporal, but also eternal favor upon ourselves and those around us.

The great God we serve indicates His understanding of our deep yearning for the well-being of our loved ones in Isaiah 65:23, 24 where the prophet says, “They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they shall be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. Before they call, I will answer; while they are speaking, I will hear.”

What a precious promise! The Almighty One sees our heart! He knows the depth of our longing for meaningful results to the labor we perform. He knows it is our desire to lay up treasure for our children—our natural children and our spiritual children! He knows we covet the blessings of time and of eternity—especially of eternity—for those we hold dear. And He says they’re ours!

Jesus came to make available to us all that had been lost by Adam and Eve in the Garden. Whereas they were required, after the fall, to toil to survive and to endure pain in childbearing, we are now told that our labor will be fruitful and those with whom we share the message of salvation will be kept in the hollow of His hand. We know He hears us as we whisper our prayers for those we love.