DEVOTION//Hands ready

Have you paid attention to the secret service agents who protect the President? Specifically, have you noticed where they keep their hands?

The "hands ready" position, hands on the lapels of their suitcoats, enables the best response if there is a threat to the President.

Jonathan Bates, a former Special Projects officer, explains, "Agents are trained to keep their hands raised, together but preferably not locked, in order to more quickly respond to an attack. While it appears that the Secret Service PPD agents are holding onto their lapels, they are actually pressing their forearms against the sides of their open suit coats… ‘Hands ready’ allows the agent to project their hands and arms out and down if necessary to disable a potential threat, or, in the worst cases, rapidly access the firearm holstered under their coat…" (Quora)

The Scriptures repeatedly assure us that God's hands are at ready to protect us.

• His hands are powerful.

  • Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

  • Psalm 95:5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

  • Psalm 102:25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

  • Psalm 102:25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

• His hands deliver.

  • Psalm 31:5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

  • Psalm 31:15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

• His hands bless.

  • Psalm 92:4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

  • Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

• His hands are faithful.

  • Psalm 111:7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

• His hands formed us.

  • Psalm 119:73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.

  • Psalm 138:8 The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

• His hands are Jesus' hands.

  • John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

Jesus' hands were nailed to the cross for us (Acts 2:23). His scarred hands proved that he had risen from death and that peace with God is ours (John 20:19-20).

Watch Jesus' hands. Trust them. Find comfort in them. His powerful hands are always at ready to protect you.