A few days ago, the Portuguese family whose flat is adjacent to our own, began a three-week holiday in their native Madeira. I passed them in the hallway as they left and Emanuel put his hand on my shoulder, and, with a warm smile asked "Would you like to come?" "Yes, please!" I replied! That touch spoke volumes to me: friendship, affection, acceptance, respect, openness and many other things.

Now meditate on this: "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him" (Ezra 8:22). What a wonderful and remarkable promise! It just takes a look of trust and confidence and dependence.

David wrote: "You [O Lord] place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand" (Ps. 139:5-6).

"The king had granted [Ezra] everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him … He arrived [safely] in Jerusalem, [having travelled without armed escort, through dangerous territory, for five months all the way from Babylon] for the gracious hand of his God was on him" (Ezra 7:6-9). "Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I [Ezra] took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me" (Ezra 7:28).

Nehemiah was no different. He was emboldened to make the big ask regarding resources for the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, and wrote: "because the gracious hand of my God was upon me the king granted my request" (Neh. 2:8).

And in answer to the leper's words: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" Jesus reached out and touched him saying: "I am willing, be healed!"

The gracious hand of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – which rests continually upon every disciple, assures us that we belong to Him; that we are his treasured children; that he is willing and able to meet our every need; that his blessing is over us; that we live under his affectionate smile and perfect protection; that we can be bold and courageous; that all his resources are at our disposal; that we will be given godly wisdom and that we have spiritual power and authority to bring heaven to earth and establish His kingdom in the here and now. Let's walk tall today, knowing that the gracious hand of the Living God rests upon us!