Articles
The Right Hand of God
Since most of us are right-handed, one’s right hand has become synonymous with strength or ability. To be a “right-hand man” is to be an indispensable or invaluable helper.
The Bible, particularly the book of Psalms, often mentions God’s right hand. It is . . .
A place of divine blessing. “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11).
A place of divine refuge. “Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand, from those who rise up against them” (Psalm 17:7).
A place of divine salvation. “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand” (Psalm 20:6; cf. 60:5; 108:6; 138:7).
A place of divine discernment. “Your hand will find out all your enemies; Your right hand will find out those who hate you” (Psalm 21:8).
A place of divine righteousness. “As is Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness” (Psalm 48:10).
A place of divine support. “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8).
A place of divine power. “You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted” (Psalm 89:13).
A place of divine victory. “O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him” (Psalm 98:1).
It is little surprise, then, that the Bible identifies God’s right hand as the place of Messiah’s [Christ’s] reign. David wrote, “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for your feet’” (Psalm 110:1).
Jesus understood the place of His reign. When the high priest adjured Him to “tell us whether You are the Christ,” He answered, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).
Peter quoted Psalm 110:1 in his Pentecost sermon, affirming that Jesus was not just raised from the dead, He was “exalted to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33). Peter connected that exaltation to God’s promise to David to seat one of his descendants on his throne (v. 30). The author of Hebrews also quoted Psalm 110:1 in conjunction with Jesus’ priestly work (10:10-13). Remember, Jesus’ kingship and priesthood go hand-in-hand.
The point of all this is simple: Jesus is reigning now, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. God “raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:20-21).
We need to be raised up with Him, through faith and baptism (Colossians 2:12), then “keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (3:1).
