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I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:14, ESV).
I became acquainted with Dr. Paul Brand because he co-wrote a book with Philip Yancey entitled Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. Paul Brand was a hand surgeon who pioneered hand reconstructive surgery with transplanted tendons.
Below is one of my remembered quotes from Dr. Paul Brand. . .
The hand is a marvel of engineering, with the strength to hold hundreds of pounds and yet sensitive enough to pick up a pin. It has almost unlimited motion. And the opposing thumb permits the grasping needed for everyday chores.
Then Dr. Brand said. . .
I can surgically repair most injuries to the hand, but I could never create or build a hand. If I want a reason to believe in the greatness and goodness of God, all that I must do is look at my hand.
I would agree — our hands give evidence of God and His goodness and greatness. We do great deeds with our hands and acts of kindness. It’s no wonder that when the Bible reveals God’s goodness and greatness to us, the image of God’s hand is often used.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you (1 Peter 5:6).
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
The “hand” thoughts from Dr. Brand did something else for me.
Most mornings, looking at my hand while brushing my teeth, I think, “Only a good and great God could create a hand” — a thought that’s been embedded in my mind from reading Brand years ago that I can’t forget.
To be honest, I don’t want to forget.
The human hand, a masterpiece of design, stands as a testament to intricate design. There are 27 bones in each hand and wrist, allowing 54 bones to have an unparalleled range of motion. We find dexterity in our fingers and a weapon of destruction with our fists. A dissection of our hand would reveal 100 tendons, 34 muscles, and 27 joints, along with the ulnar, median, and radial nerves.
Wow. I thank God for his goodness and power.
And don’t forget the thumb. I can’t imagine holding my morning Starbucks™ without it. And the same is true for riding a bike without the ability to grasp the handlebars. Isaac Newton once said, “In want of other proofs, the thumb would convince me of the existence of God.”
Let’s remember. . .
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word (Isaiah 66:2).