The Fingers of God - part 1

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. [Acts 9:1-3 NKJV]

Wicklow Hills, Ireland

What beauty there is seeing the sunlight piercing through a heavy cloud and illuminating the land or sea beneath. I have tried to capture that effect of the weather on many occasions, either photographically or in paint, with mixed results. The real thing remains inimitable.

Many years ago, I heard this light described as 'The Fingers of God', reaching down to us from the heavenlies revealing His hand and thus His presence with us, and I have wondered if this was the light from heaven that shone around Saul on the road to Damascus to round up those of 'The Way' as the early Christians were known.

Certainly, He is a light in our darkness - needed now more than ever.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. [Ephesians 5:8 NKJV]

Think of how we use our fingers ... they are tools for detailed work; they enable the fine caress of a loved one; they turn the pages of a book, plant seeds, prepare food, enable creativity, perform surgery ... a myriad of essentials. We often pray for the Lord to place His hand upon someone to heal or protect, but it will be His fingers that will see to the detail of that work. Our Lord knows even the number of hairs on our heads; He knows every detail, and He does detailed, precise and restoring work in each of us.

The Fingers of God in our photograph are pure light, and just as the shafts of light search through the cloud to find the earth and cast aside the darkness, His fingers grip our hearts and bring His heavenly light to our spirits. His fingers bring divine illumination - a word used to describe the work of monks creating beautiful illustrated Bibles, like The Book of Kells. These books brought light to the minds of men.

“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. [Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV]

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He Touched Me - Gaither Vocal Band