Own Hands

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

OWN HAND

Gal 6:11

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

NIV

Paul is making sure the people of Galatia understand this letter is from him, and not from someone using his name for the spreading of false doctrine. It is not known for sure just as to how much of these concluding thoughts are in his own hand, or if just that one statement. It is also be thought the reason he makes that statement about the large letters is that he has very poor eyesight, which could be his thorn in the flesh, which only implies something of continual trouble as defined in Number 33:55.

Num 33:55-56

55 "'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.

NIV

So Paul had something, as this poor eyesight as continual and bothersome trouble. Nevertheless, he does not allow that to keep him from doing that which God has called him to do. This should serve to demonstrate to us how we should approach our lives. Do we have some continual bothersome trouble or problem, such as some kind of infirmity or simply the aches and pains of this aging body that we use as an excuse not to continually doing all that God requires of us? When, if ever, did Paul decide to retire from service to the Lord? As far as we know, he continued to earn his own keep being in business with Aquila and Priscilla, who also ministered beside Paul. Surely we know his end as he finally ended up arrested in Rome and came to the end of his life there. But he never gave up working for the kingdom of God, not for one minute did his trouble keep him from going on. What an example for us to use for our life in Christ. Although it might be true as he was under house arrest others ministered to his needs, and kept him company, Paul was always about doing the Lord’s business. We should not be so quick to give up doing what God has called us to do, just because we have a little difficulty either by some infirmity or those symptoms of an aging body. Maybe our energy level has waned some from that of our youth, but that too is no excuse to continue on. Maybe we move a little slower, but still, we should keep moving. When is it alright and sit and do nothing at all, just waiting, as if we are just waiting to be called home. See, what large letters we use with our own hands? Our own hands! Let us labor on, work while it is still day. The night is coming, there will be time enough to rest in the Lord, but for now, we still have the breath of life within these bones and we are to go forth and do what God has instructed us to do. It is still day, let us use our own hands.