I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. look crazy as I make a fist.

John 10:28 ESV

Imagine being inside the fist. 

I drove to Rhode Island from New Hampshire to speak at a ladies’ retreat. As normal, I practiced the teaching as I drove. God gives me deeper insight and great analogies while driving. The teaching for that weekend was entitled, “Shining for Jesus in This Dark World.” I practiced the portion, dealing with how God sees us after salvation. 

Goose bumps covered my body when God reminded me of Jesus’ words and then gave me a visual in my head. With my eyes still on the road, I held one hand to the side and made a fist.  

As believers, we can picture our hands as the loving sacrificial hand of Christ. Then, we can make a fist and imagine ourselves in that hand. We see nothing but our hands.

When God looks at Christ’s hand, He does not see us but only the scar on Christ’s wrist, left by the nail piercing. His beloved innocent Son endured the most intense physical, emotional, and spiritual pain to bridge the gap between separation from God and our salvation.  

As I continued looking at my fist, I bellowed the words that Christ cried from the cross: “It is finished!” I was so excited that I almost drove off the road. Joy, adoration, and thanksgiving filled my mind. Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, and the scar proves it. 

In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. 

Ephesians 1:7 ESV                                    

What a glorious picture. Christ’s hand protects us. Driving and crying simultaneously were difficult. I wanted to raise my hands in praise and worship my King. Of course, I did not want to cause a pileup on I-95. But at the conference, I shared the word picture, and the ladies cried with me.  

We are secure in God’s hand. Nothing can get to us. His love, grace, and mercy take us captive. So, when we feel inadequate, unloved, or guilty, we can remember it is finished. Freedom is near.

When you struggle with how God sees you, rejoice and make a fist.

Father, thank You that You see us in Christ and not our sins. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Inside the Fist: Cherrilynn Bisbano: All Rights Reserved