When Christ’s Hand Is Upon You
Now the hand of the Lord had been upon me the evening…And He had opened my mouth…and I was no longer mute. Ezekiel 3:22 NKJV
During summer visits to my grandmother’s apartment home in my youth, I spent many happy, carefree hours swimming in the complex’s pool. It was deliciously cool on miserably hot days in the South.
On one occasion, however, my delightful swim turned into a terror. I had traversed underwater from the shallow side to the deep zone while holding my breath, coming up at the ladder for air.
A strange kid, bigger than I was, sat on the ladder’s top rung and blocked my exit from the water. Even worse, he began to push me down, resisting all my efforts to surface. He must have thought it was great fun, but I was desperate for air and began to panic.
I eventually wrenched out of his grip, moved away from the side, and rose to gasp an overdue breath. The whole experience was frustrating.
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night feeling pressed down to the point of drowning? I do. It might be from a bad dream, a situation involving my kids, a careless statement I made to a friend, a project deadline, or any other worrisome issue.
Many times, it’s because of what I would call “conviction gone bad”—an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work on my heart, but the moment gets hijacked by Satan to breed despair. I know my attitude is all wrong, but I’m being held down and can’t escape the heaviness.
Recently, though, I’ve begun the practice of speaking gratitude to God in the night, following a suggestion from my good friend Dorcas. At bedtime, she searches through her day’s memory to identify five reasons to be thankful to God, and she dwells on them as she dozes off. I now latch onto those blessings and the promises of God, to counter the lies of Satan.
The Holy Spirit is our true source of sound judgment and wisdom, bringing our sins to light in order to teach us His wisdom and help us live an abundant life. His words aren’t burdensome. His touch is never harsh.
When we feel a pressing heaviness from our enemy, we can remember God’s promises in Scripture and speak them with confidence. There’s no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Don’t be anxious about anything because Jesus gives the peace that passes all understanding. In Him are springs of living water. God is the Father of Lights, and all good gifts come from Him. Christ’s yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a preacher in 19th-century London renowned for his spellbinding sermons and timeless devotions, observed something else about the “hand of Christ” upon us—it strengthens our souls and lifts our spirits up toward His divine presence and heavenly things.
Spurgeon craved the healing touch of Jesus and understood his need of holy communion with our Savior:
“His hand can cool the heat of my burning brow, and stay the tumult of my palpitating heart. That glorious right hand which moulded the world can new-create my mind; the unwearied hand which bears the earth’s huge pillars up can sustain my spirit; the loving hand which incloses all the saints can cherish me; and the mighty hand which breaketh in pieces the enemy can subdue my sins….”**
This mighty master of the pulpit found renewal of faith and consolation when he grasped the hand that Jesus offered him. He found his joy in Jesus.
Friend, when you are beset by the attacks of the enemy, reach for the hand of Jesus. Remind yourself of His promise to never leave you or forsake you during your battles. Cling to His grace as His hand grips yours. He will never let you go.
Let’s say with Spurgeon, “Come, my soul, address thy God with the potent plea, that Jesu’s hands were pierced for thy redemption, and thou shalt surely feel that same hand upon thee which once touched Daniel and set him upon his knees that he might see visions of God.” Surely our afflictions in the night will become visions of God’s light and love for us…accompanied by blessed sleep.
Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, speak to me when Satan seeks to demolish my relationship with You. Remove the enemy’s wicked pressure, and touch me with Your healing hand of forgiveness and love. Grant me healing from my despair, and let me rest in the peace and encouragement You freely give. In Your glorious name, Amen.
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.
© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #healingtouch #handofChrist #forgiveness #worry #anxiety #depression #Spurgeon
*Scripture passages for God’s promises mentioned earlier are found at Romans 8:1; Philippians 4:6; John 4:10; James 1:17; Matthew 11:30; and Hebrews 13:5.
**Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (Classic KJV Edition). January Evening.
