By Melissa McLaughlin
Unstoppable Power
They have a power all their own. The patches of stubborn, unmelted snow still cling to the earth, gripping the edges of our souls with the frigid bite of winter. But there they are… unthwarted, unstoppable, undaunted.
Up from the earth. Up from the shadows. Up from the seeming stillness of dead dormancy.
The daffodils are coming! One of the first signs of spring and new life in our area.
Though the earth is hardened and packed down from layer upon layer of snow and ice, incredibly they push through the surface of the ground.
You might think these little plants have supernatural strength. Well, I guess they do. Strength of God in the life of the flower.
Have you ever lifted a bag of topsoil? Heavy! Yet, these annual bulbs push through the weight of pressed soil, on God’s timetable with God’s quiet but unrelenting purpose.
Their purpose? The daffodils give glory to the Creator who formed them. (Isaiah 6:3)
What are the plants doing during the dark winter months? There is nothing visible to the eye. Were it not for our past experience, we would assume they are dead and gone.
Still, God in His Providence has designed the world to operate in wondrous, rhythmic seasons.
Looking for God
For many, this current season of life has felt like a long, cold winter. Deep darkness of illness, strife and difficulty are the headlines of our lives.
At times, we may question, “Where is God? What is God doing? How is God using this moment in time to accomplish His purposes?”
When we pause and remember God’s faithfulness through the ages, we can rest in the assurance that even though we cannot see with earthly eyes, God’s unseen hand is holding us fast.
The Unseen Hand of God in Scripture
In Genesis 7, Noah and his family were spared the judgment of God’s cleansing flood upon the earth. They waited on board the ark for 40 days. The unseen hand of God moved Noah to build the ark, compelled Noah to prepare the necessary provisions and gather animals and family members in order that they may be saved. The unseen hand of God brought them through.
Later in the book of Genesis, as Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, the unseen hand of God protected Joseph and afforded him unimaginable opportunities. The unique circumstances surrounding Joseph’s life paved the way for God’s people to survive and thrive during an extended drought.
Joseph’s words reflected his understanding of God’s unseen hand, here in Genesis 50:20 – “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
In the book of Exodus, the unseen hand of God moved through Moses, as he requested release for God’s people, the Israelites, from the oppressive rule of the Egyptian Pharaoh. The Lord sent plague after plague as a warning, followed by the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, so the Israelites could walk to freedom on dry ground.
Though God moved through His appointed leader, Moses, the unseen hand of God orchestrated each detail.
In the book of Esther, the king’s official, Haman, had devised a plan to annihilate all of the Jewish people. Through God’s unseen hand and with stunning irony, every evil purpose Haman intended for the Jews was carried out against Haman instead. (Esther 9:25)
The Unseen Hand of God in Christ
Fast forward through the Bible to Jesus Christ. As we ponder the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, may we remember the long dark hours between His crucifixion-death-burial and… His resurrection.
The Messiah was dead. The Savior was buried. The Son of God breathed His last. So they thought.
Though the darkness hovered over them, the unseen hand of God was moving.
Jesus Christ, the Word of God, will have the final word. Then as today.
That word is mercy! He has triumphed over sin, hell and the grave and extended mercy to all who place their faith in Him. Because He lives, all who believe in Him will live too! (Matthew 27-28)
Hold to the Unseen Hand of God
Do you find yourself in a season of darkness, dormancy or doubt? Wondering where God is?
Hold to God’s hand!
God is living. God is active. God is powerful. God is moving.
His plans are unstoppable.
His name will be glorified.
His kingdom will be advanced.
His purposes will be accomplished.
Just as surely as Jesus rose up from that grave, so God is alive and His unseen hand is moving in your life.
Need a reminder?
Take a walk down memory lane.
Remember the scriptures.
And remember the daffodils.
Psalm 77:10-20 (ESV)
Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Standing on the Rock in the Storm By Melissa McLaughlin
This is My Father’s World By Melissa McLaughlin
Hallelujah and Maranatha Amen Sweet Sister in Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah Melissa, GOD Bless You and Your Family and Friends!!
Praise Jesus-Yeshua Christ for Today and Everyday HE is KING of kings and LORD of lords, HE is the ALPHA and OMEGA, HE is the BEGINNING and the ENDING! Glory Glory Hallelujah and Maranatha!! Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah and Maranatha Amen-Amein!!
I Love you all Everyone through Christ Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💙💕 EVERYONE FIRST Forevermore!!
Love 💕💙 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Oh Melissa, these were such precious thoughts to me, as my husband & I both face health challenges now. I have always loved spring, and the way God stirs new life. However, I had not thought about the WEIGHT that those young stems must push through. All for God’s glory. He has created them to do that very thing. May I allow Him to give me HIS strength & glory right here, in the midst of this heaviness too. Thank you Dear Sister for sharing His Words today
Dear Bettie, thank you for stopping by to share your heart and experiences. Especially when you and your husband are going through so many health struggles. God provides so many beautiful lessons through His creation. I am thankful this little message of the daffodil was a blessing to you! I’m lifting you both in prayer. May the unseen hand of God in your midst, renew your strength and lift your spirits! Hugs to you!
God bless you, dear Kristi Ann! May you be blessed this day with the unseen hand of God in your midst!
Blessings and love to you, dear Kristi Ann! May the LORD show himself mighty in your life!
Beautifully written! I love this concept of the unseen hand of God. It’s so true! He is there all of the time in His omnipresence, even if we don’t recognize it. There’s a deep sense of trusting in His providence that must come from within the heart of a believer. Thanks for the post! Very encouraging.
Thank you for the kind words, Lisa! Glory to God! Your words echo with wisdom and truth. As believers, we truly need to trust in God’s providence from deep within. His omnipresent loving care is woven into all our days. He provides ample reason to trust Him through His creation, His Word and redemptive work in our lives through Christ. Still our faith is proven when we follow and obey, even when all the details cannot be traced out. Blessings to you, dear sister!
What a beautiful message! Even though I can’t see God’s hand, I know He is everywhere. He is in the warmth of the sunshine this morning. He is in the laughter of children. He is in the love shared in my family. God is everywhere. Amen. Hallelujah! Have a blessed day!
Thank you for your heartfelt response, Melissa! The loving Presence and unseen hand of our Father God is truly everywhere. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear. His blessings surround us on every side. May our hearts overflow in gratitude and love! Blessings to you and your family!
Yes, when we take time to consider the lilies of the field we realize that God is always caring for us.
Jesus Christ will have the final word. Amen and amen. God bless!
Amen! Well said, Nancy! God bless you!
What a beautiful photo to go with your great post. I really appreciate your words of encouragement today as the darkness seems to overshadow. But I know spring is coming and what a blessing. Thanks
Thank you, Yvonne! To God be the glory! I agree, the darkness seems to be getting heavier as time goes on. May we keep our eyes on our Savior. He will surely come, like the spring rains!
This is one of the most powerful pieces you’ve written, Melissa. The insistence of “the unseen hand of God” repeated with pressing urgency and unshakeable certainty causes our hearts to swell with the certainty of hope and joyful expectation, for we have seen those miraculous daffodils bursting forth through the residual ice. We know that nothing is impossible for the unseen hand of God to accomplish. He is able. He can. He will.
All glory to God! Thank you for the kind words, Melinda! It is foundational to our faith to grow in the knowledge that what we know to be true in the light, we must cling to in the dark. The unseen hand of God is powerful, alive, active, moving. And yes, God is able!
Wonderful post! God is always at work on our behalf. Love your photos of the daffodils. They remind us of God’s love, both in creation, and in the new life He offers us in Jesus Christ. Wishing you blessings! Thank you for sharing this beautiful post!!!
Thank you, dear Linda! Yes, God is always at work in our lives, working out the details for His glory and our good. May we see the beauty of His unseen hand all around. For He holds us and all of creation. Bless you!
A timely reminder of God’s work behind the scenes of our lives and behind the curtain of history itself. Thank you.
Thank you for reading and sharing your insights, Carolyn! I love the way you say this “God’s work behind the scenes of our lives and behind the curtain of history itself.” He is still God, He is good and He is accomplishing His purposes.
Love, love, love this, Melissa! We, too, have spring flowers making an appearance despite their surroundings. God’s unseen hand is evident in creation, in biblical stories, and in our story. Lord, help us remember you are always working behind the scenes on our behalf. Help us remember your unseen hand is there, your fingerprints evident in our lives!
Amen! Thank you for the words of encouragement, prayers and faith, Karen! God’s unseen hand is always moving. May we have the spiritual eyes to see more of Him. Blessings to you!