Empty hands create all kinds of thoughts and feelings. Empty hands can mean no child to hold, good work to do, or lack of earthly goods. Empty hands that once were full seem even emptier than hands that never held precious things.

However, I don’t think for one minute that any of us need to suffer from “empty hand syndrome”. (Bet you didn’t even know there was such a thing!)

As time passes there is less work, or children grow up, or worldly goods are given away, but our hands can still be full.

“Finally be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers. Against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, stand firm. Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with Truth, and having put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, and having shod your feet with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace; in addition to all take up the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18NASB

Prayer is the mighty work of a saint. When we enter battle in the spiritual realm, we better be clothed with the armor Abba provides and carry the tools our Abba has given. And there it is, can you see? Our hands are full. In the one hand, we hold the Shield of Faith. In the other hand, we hold the Sword of the Spirit. Each hand is full. We have purpose. We do not have empty hands.

Through all of our life even to the last days of our life…our hands are not empty.

Perhaps we aren’t always in a war…but we never need to think our hands can’t be full. Our Abba will always give us purpose…and the tools to accomplish His good work.