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If I said, “I’m going to have a mani,” would you know what I meant? I think most of us women would know the shorthand we use for manicures. That’s what we do to keep our hands looking good. Well, as your beauty consultant with beauty tips from the Bible, I want to tell you how you can keep your hands really beautiful.
Psalm 24:3-5a says, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord.”
As parents we had to frequently remind our children to wash their hands because dirty hands carry germs and cause illness. That has been driven home during this pandemic, hasn’t it? Well, the same is true for us spiritually; we need to frequently “wash our hands” and make sure that we keep our hearts pure. You do that by confessing your sins willingly and regularly, keeping short accounts with the Lord, so that your heart is pure.
Beautiful hands are hands that reach out to help others. In describing the ideal woman, Proverbs 31:20 says, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Throughout scripture again and again we are told to take care of the poor and the orphan, the widow and the oppressed. Hands that help those who are needy are the most beautiful hands. Do your hands reach out to help the poor and needy?
Beautiful hands are busy hands. Proverbs 12:24 says that “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” The Bible further says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10a).
And lastly, our hands should be used to praise the Lord. Psalm 47:1: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” And Psalm 134:2: “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Paul wrote to young Timothy: “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” Our hands should be used to praise the Lord.