Touch of the Master’s Hand

Today’s Truth
“I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13, 14 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Myra was a woman battered and scarred from severe arthritis. Her legs were held captive in a wheelchair, but her soul was forever free.  With one pencil in each crippled hand, she used the erasers to type words on her typewriter.  The joy of her efforts in typing the words outweighed the pain of creating them.

One day, when a friend was leaving Myra’s home, she patted her wheelchair and said, “And I thank God for this!”  Prior to her wheelchair days, Myra’s talent had been hidden like a treasure in the sand.  But after the crippling affect of arthritis confined her, the talent locked away freed her.  God used one of her most precious poems to show me our incredible worth.

The Touch of the Master’s Hand It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good people,” he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three.”
But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet low,
Said, “What now am I bid for this old violin?”
As he held it aloft with its’ bow.
“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?”
“Two thousand, who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone,” said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
“We just don’t understand.”
“What changed its’ worth?
Swift came the reply
“The Touch of the Master’s Hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine
A game and he travels on.
He is gong once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master’s Hand
-Myra Brooks Welch

Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, my Creator, my life is much like that old violin.  It may not look like much to most, but because of the touch of the Master’s hands, I have great worth.  Thank You for touching my life.  Please use my hands today to give others a special touch from You.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn
Go back and read the words to Myra’s song.  How is your life much like the old violin?

Have you ever looked at another person and viewed them as worn out, broken or worthless?  Be honest.

What would God say about such a person?

Perhaps you know someone who feels worthless.  Today, consider speaking a word of encouragement to let them know just how precious they are to God.

If you would like to learn more about your true worth and begin seeing yourself as God sees you – as a chosen, holy, dearly loved child of the King – then check out Sharon’s book,