Sit back, take a deep breath, and look at your life. Are you where you want to be? Or maybe at times you're confused, wandering, looking for signs that never come. Perhaps more often than not.

We all have seasons when we don't know what to do or where to go. Happiness is yesterday's memory and tomorrow is filled with fear and uncertainty. Our eyes focus on the now. Sound familiar?

Long ago a nation lived in peace and prosperity. They saw such blessings as due to their own effort and intelligence. Then war came. Many were slaughtered, others taken as slaves. Few remained.

Years later their king tried to rally the people back to God. Messengers were sent throughout the land, calling them to worship the Passover in Jerusalem. Many reacted in anger. Though not all.

The hand of God was on the people of Judah, giving them one heart to obey the orders of the king and his officials, who were following the word of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 30:12

"The hand of God" always involved His presence, power, and authority. But how the phrase was used varied---from attacking to protecting, condemning to forgiving, cursing to blessing. Depending on the Hebrew word, His hand could be closed, raised, lowered, offered, or withdrawn.

One word was special: Yad---the open hand that gives. The Yad of God gives of Himself to His people. The open hand of God was on the people of Judah, or rather...they were living in the Yad of God. By His presence, power, and authority, He united their hearts, giving them peace and direction.

But God's open hand was not on those who rebuked the messengers and refused to join the king. This refusal to follow the word of the Lord was nothing less than their rejection of God Himself.

When the Assyrian king invaded from the south, he easily laid siege on Lachish, which oddly enough means invincible. Then he sent messengers to Jerusalem and boasted against God and their king, threatening the city with his far greater army.

But these people lived in the Yad of God. The Lord sent an angel, who destroyed every Assyrian warrior, commander, and leader. While those who had rejected Him remained captive to their own fear and uncertainty, God's people lived in His peace and followed His direction.

Paul wrote that for those who love God---who seek His will and follow Him---He causes all things to work together for their good (Romans 8:28). He was describing life in the Yad of God.

Want to live in the hand of God? Then love Him...seek Him...follow Him. God will open His hand and give you a new heart, one united with Him and His people. He will give you peace and direction.