Hand shaking

Open hand

Ex. 4:2

According to tradition, the custom of shaking hands began among ancient German duelists as a sign of peaceful intentions. The men couldn’t draw swards when their hands were outstretched, so an open hand signified that they were meeting as friends. Conversely, a closed or clenched fist is a universal sign of greed and selfishness. Furthermore, a closed hand often means a closed heart.

In light of those facts, I’d like to suggest making this The Year of the Open Hand. And the first step to making that happen in your personal world depends on how you answer the question God asked Moses in Exodus 4:2; “What is that in your hand?” When Moses told Him—it was his shepherd’s staff—God commanded him to open his hand and release it. As Moses relinquished it, the Lord returned it to him with fresh power and purpose.

What is in your hand? Are your fingers open, hands lifted upward, releasing everything to God and read to receive all He wants to give you? Or are you grasping onto life with a death grip?

David Jeremiah, Signs of Life, p. 169