"In Good Hands"

 

“In Good Hands”

 

In 1950 Allstate Insurance Sales Executive David Ellis came up with the catch phrase “You’re in good hands with Allstate”. (It stands at #9 in a list of 30 great advertising slogans of all time.) After more than seven decades it’s still used to promote its products giving credence to the adage, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!” It worked in our case—we used its coverage for many years until we moved to Florida where the company didn’t offer homeowners’ policies.

Hand/hands is the most frequently mentioned body part in Scripture. It’s cited over 1600 times in its various forms, far more than foot/feet next at around 370. It’s often used in the physical sense (“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….”—Ecclesiastes 9:10; “…{Jesus} said….’Stretch out your hand’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”—Mark 3:5). But the term also symbolizes power (“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless….”—Psalm 10:12); guidance (“You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”—Psalm 77:20); comfort (“You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me,”—Psalm 138:7, NASB) and blessing (“…{Jesus} took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”—Mark 10:16). My personal favorite hand reference is David’s statement of assurance in Psalm 31:15: “My times are in your hands.” (Emphasis added throughout.)

With due respect to Allstate and Mr. Ellis, I greatly rejoice that we as God’s people can say, “I’m in good hands with Jesus!” And He holds us tightly in His grasp. In answering the challenges of the religious leaders our Lord said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29, emphasis added). What a blessing to be held in divine hands forever! Solomon states, “…Whoever listens to (God’s wisdom) will live in safety….” (Proverbs 1:33). Have you entrusted yourself to His powerful hands? There’s no safer place to be.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan