The Hands That Hang Down

by Terry Wane Benton

They were beaten down. Their possessions were plundered, and family and friends were speaking evil of them. They were Christians on the verge of quitting. But, Paul wanted to remind them of the superiority and greatness of Christ, so he penned Hebrews with word pictures that Christ is all that truly matters. If you drift away from Christ you truly lose the greatest treasure of all. So, look up! "Strengthen the hands that hang down" (Hebrews 12:12). In other words, quit feeling sorry for yourself, look at what you have in Christ, and get those hands busy helping others. You find encouragement in giving it to others. Get busy! An idle mind is the devil's workshop!

Hands hanging down suggests that you don't appreciate what you have in Christ and that you are not busy in His kingdom helping others! Get those hands up after you go to the throne of grace to find the help you need inside (Hebrews 4:16). Strengthen those hands if you find they are hanging down for too long!