The old song says that God's "got the whole world in His hands." "He's got you and me brothers," "you and me sisters," and "the little bitty babies in His hands." This song is true.

Moreover, there is no snatching out of God's hand (Jn 10:28, 29). Even those just ones who have died have not been snatched from God but remain in His hand (Wis 3:1). God's hold on us is stronger than death and Satan. His hands hold us so tight that we have perfect security in His love.

The only creatures in the universe that can get God to hand us over are ourselves. If we tell God to take His nail-scarred hands off of us and to no longer embrace us, He will reluctantly grant our desire. He will be empty-handed in regards to us, and we will be empty. In our emptiness, we will probably hand ourselves over to others to be manhandled instead of God-handled. After they use and abuse us, they will discard us. We will become "hand-me-downs." At this point, we may hand ourselves over to more abuse or turn to God, Who hand-picked, hand-made, and hand-held us. "He's got the whole world in His hands." Does He have you?

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997