“Now the hand of the Lord was upon me in the evening” (Ezekiel 33:22)

 In this case, Ezekiel was kept silent by the hand of the Lord until the doom he had prophesied had come to pass. But the hand of the Lord is also felt in times of joy, strengthening the soul and lifting the spirit to eternal things. Oh may I feel the hand of God restoring my soul for His name’s sake (Psalms 23:2). 

 A sense of God’s presence lifts the soul towards heaven on wings of eagles. At such times we’re full of spiritual joy, and forget the cares of earth; the invisible is near, and the visible loses its power over us; our physical body waits at the bottom of the hill while our spirit worships on the summit. 

 Oh that I may experience the presence of God! My graces are dull, my corruptions rage, my faith is weak, my devotion is cold; these are among the reasons I need His healing hand upon me. His hand can cool the heat of my burning forehead and calm my troubled heart. His right hand which fashioned the world can renew my mind; the omnipotent hand which keeps the Earth in orbit can sustain my spirit; the loving hand which embraces every saint can comfort me; and the mighty hand that breaks the power of the enemy can subdue my flesh. 

 Lord Jesus, I pray the hands which were pierced for my redemption would console and comfort me this evening (Philippians 2:1).