O God, strengthen my hands

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands (Nehemiah 6:9 KJV)

What does the Holy Spirit look like image showing man's hands praying

Nehemiah prayed the prayer recorded in the verse above as he built the walls of Jerusalem while facing fierce opposition. He asked the Lord to strengthen his hands. What does this mean? Was he asking God to make his physical hands stronger? Certainly not! The verse itself tells us the word “hands” is used figuratively in this verse. The enemies were trying to make him afraid, so he asked the Lord to encourage him, grant him courage, etc.

The phrase “strengthen my hands” can be applied to many aspects of our lives. For example, God can strengthen your hands financially when He makes financial resources available to you. He can strengthen you spiritually with boldness, courage, faith, etc. He can strengthen you with knowledge and wisdom to make you excel in whatever you put your hands to do.

This is a year to pray this prayer of Nehemiah with all of your heart for your life and the Body of Christ. You need to be strengthened spiritually, financially, socially, mentally, physically, etc. Deut 8:18 is probably the best verse to use in this context to show how God strengthens us in the area of finance “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV). He did not give them money but the power to get wealth. He strengthened their hands.

May the Lord strengthen your hands this year in everything you put your hands on and everything that concerns you!

MEDITATE

Why is the figure “hand” often used in scripture to represent power or authority? What do you use your hands to do, and how does that relate to power?

APPLY THE WORD

God’s power does not only operate in us through miracles but as strength or capacity to do things. Crave spiritual strength this year. Pray, look for it in the Word, and put it to work!