In His Hands and at His Feet
Deuteronomy 33:3
Yes, He loves the people;
All His saints are in Your hand;
They sit down at Your feet;
Everyone receives Your words.
God loves us and holds us in His hand. That is the safest place to be for Jesus said that no one can snatch us out of either His, or the Father’s hand (John 10:28,29). This is a wonderful place of security, where we know we are loved and cared for.
What begins with us being in His hand concludes with us being at His feet. From the awareness of His love, goodness, and protection, comes a yielding of the heart that goes beyond the compliance of a servant. This is a love-based surrender, the posture of worship, and the devotion of love.
Obedience is not always easy. Our flesh is easily persuaded that sin is pleasurable and we have a will that is often determined to choose its own actions. The simplest answer to our human dilemma, and the ongoing battle we face, is to know that we are loved. Jesus said, “if you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience not only reveals love but is the natural fruit of love. Those we love, we protect from actions and words that would undermine or harm. When we focus on our love relationship with the Lord then following Him and obeying His commands is not burdensome or hard.
Out of the knowledge of being held in His hands, comes the willingness to sit at His feet and receive His words. This posture of devotion and rest, enables us to hear His voice and understand His heart. This is why the devil loves to load us with guilt and condemnation. Guilt keeps us from the presence of the Lord and from a yielded heart. It may make us sorry and bring forth determination to do things better, but obedience is not birthed out of determination and striving. Obedience is birthed out of yielding.
Obedience is the natural fruit of knowing we are loved and held in His hand. Out of this place of security and trust, we willingly sit at His feet, listening to His voice and serving Him with joy. Surrender is the response of love for those who know they are loved. Saying yes becomes easy when we understand the immense care and generosity of our kind and loving Saviour.
If you struggle with sin, the answer isn’t more effort or rules. Instead, recognise that you are held in His hand. You are not holding onto God; He is holding onto you, and He will not let go. Relax, receive of His mercy, and enjoy His presence. The more you are with Him, the more you’ll love what He loves and hate what He hates. First, rest in His hand and trust in His ability to hold you rather than your own ability to serve, do good, or live above the pull of sin. Then, you will want to sit at His feet. As you do, you will hear His words and know His heart.
Sitting at His feet is our choice. It is a choice to lay aside all our burdens, responsibilities and cares and to be with Him. In this place we find peace and the strength of His grace. As we simply draw close to Him, we receive of all that He is.
Sitting at His feet is also the posture of a disciple. Paul described himself as one who sat at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and Mary took this position as she listened and learned from the One who had come to her house (Luke 10:39). Like Mary, we need to choose to sit. It is a posture of rest and receiving. As we still our hearts, we hear His voice and learn of His ways. There are the demands of others and ever-present needs that seek to take us from this place of resting and receiving. Yet, it is in sitting at His feet that we receive His words. This is more than hearing what He is saying; it is a posture of rest and an openness of heart that enables us to receive and not just hear.
The Lord is not looking for servants. He has legions of angels who obey His command. He is looking for those who willingly rest in His hand and sit at His feet. They are precious in His sight and hear words reserved for those with an open heart.
