I saw the ‘postie’ cycling towards our letter box, when I looked through the  big window of our lounge and wondered if she would drop anything into our box. Once upon a time I was very disappointed, when there was no mail for us. But now with the Internet, I don’t really care.

However, she stopped. When I went to get whatever it was, I was disappointed. It was not a bill or a letter – it was just a leaflet. Quite an attractive looking leaflet. I have it now here before me.

On the front page is written: “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?” A very good question! On the second side of the leaflet we read: ” ARE YOU READY TO HAVE YOUR SAY?” One more good question.

Actually it does not really matter what I say. What matters is: What does the Bible, the Word of the Living God, say? We want the Bible to speak to us. In Psalm 119:105 it says: “Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light for my path.”

What does the BIBLE say about parental correction and discipline? Here we are:

Proverbs 10:13

Proverbs 13:24

Proverbs 22:15

Proverbs 23:13

Proverbs 29:15

Can you make a word square from these clues?

Each word has four letters.

Across and down

1. Intensifier, used in exclamations.

2. Habitat of an animal.

3. Governor of Samaria in biblical times.

4. Portable shelter of plastic

When we are really serious, we are making more words. It shows our desperation.

Psalm 80:3,7,19

_____________

A. Psalm 80:3

Here the Psalmist says:

“RESTORE US, O GOD;…”

B. Psalm 80:7

Here he is adding one word, the word ALMIGHTY.

“RESTORE US, O GOD ALMIGHTY;..”

C. Psalm 80:19

Here he is adding one more word, the word LORD.

“RESTORE US, O LORD GOD ALMIGHTY;..”

‘I have seen something similar already today!’ That thought shot through my mind when looking up at the poster on the wall to my right when walking along the Main Street of Kaitaia, Commerce Street. Otherwise I would probably not have taken much notice of the writing on the poster, because I was already very familiar with the words on it.

The very big poster is attached to the wall of a yard where cars are being sold and on the poster is written:

“YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS WITH THE FINANCE SHOP.”

And also a name of a Street in Hamilton is given.

But where have I seen something similar about ‘Good Hands’ today? For a moment I was not able to remember, but then it came to me. It was at the other end of town in the shop window of a pharmacy.

Back I went to the other end of town and there it was what I was looking for. In the display window where several posters advertising the same product:

” YOU’RE IN GOOD HANDS WITH ANTI-FLAMME.”

It seems to me that business people want us to be in ‘GOOD HANDS.’ I like that. I like to be in ‘GOOD HANDS.’ Don’t you?

And I actually know that I am in really good hands. The Bible, the Word of the Living God tells me that I am in the best hands. I am in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the hands of the Father. Let us read some verses from the Bible. John 10:28,29:  “..; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” “..; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” That are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Lord Jesus Christ has also nail marks in his hand. John 20:25!

He loved me so much that he died for me. I love Him too! Can you say that?

Who has YOU in his hands?

Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. – George Mueller

Every act of trust makes the next act less difficult, until at length, if these acts are persisted in, trusting becomes, like breathing,… – Hannah Whithall Smith

God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame. – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“To meet everything and everyone through stillness instead of mental noise is the greatest gift you can offer to the universe.” – Eckhart Tolle

Isaiah 30:15

“…., in quietness…… is your strength,…”