‎Text: “And the hand of the LORD my God was upon me… and the king granted me according to the good hand of my God upon me.” — Nehemiah 2:8

‎The gracious hand of God upon a person speaks of divine favour, mercy, help, and supernatural enablement that turns weakness into strength and failure into glory. When God’s hand rests upon a man, life takes a sudden, undeniable, and lasting turnaround—not by human power, but by divine grace.

‎1. The Hand of God Brings Favor Where There Was Resistance

‎Key Scripture:

‎“And the hand of the LORD my God was upon me… and the king granted me according to the good hand of my God upon me.” — Nehemiah 2:8

‎Example: Nehemiah

‎Nehemiah was a captive cupbearer, not a governor.

‎One audience with the king changed everything.

‎What diplomacy couldn’t achieve, God’s hand secured instantly.

‎Turnaround: From exile into authority; from mourning into rebuilding a nation.

‎Lesson: When God’s gracious hand comes upon a man, closed systems open without struggle.

‎2. The Hand of God Lifts a Man from Obscurity to Glory

‎Key Scripture:

‎“And the hand of the LORD was with him.” — Luke 1:66

‎Example: John the Baptist

‎Born in a barren home.

‎Grew up in the wilderness—unknown and unnoticed.

‎Suddenly emerged as the voice that shook a nation.

‎Turnaround: From wilderness silence into national relevance.

‎Lesson: God’s hand can compress years of obscurity into moments of manifestation.

‎3. The Hand of God Turns Captivity into Dominion

‎Key Scripture:

‎“The hand of our God is upon all of them for good that seek him.” — Ezra 8:22

‎Example: Ezra and the Returned Exiles

‎They returned from Babylon with no army, no defense.

‎Yet kings financed them, enemies feared them, and the work prospered.

‎Turnaround: From slaves into restorers of worship and destiny.

‎Lesson: God’s hand provides supernatural security and supply where human help is absent.

‎4. The Hand of God Converts Failure into Testimony

‎Key Scripture:

‎“Nevertheless the hand of the LORD was against them… yet when they cried unto the LORD…” — Judges 2:15–18

‎Example: Israel in the Book of Judges

‎Cycles of sin led to oppression.

‎Whenever they cried, God raised deliverers.

‎Turnaround: From defeat → deliverance repeatedly.

‎Lesson: God’s gracious hand is stronger than a man’s past mistakes.

‎5. The Hand of God Brings Skill, Excellence, and Speed

‎Key Scripture:

‎“And the hand of the LORD was upon Elijah… and he ran before Ahab.” — 1 Kings 18:46

‎Example: Elijah

‎A prophet outran the king’s chariot.

‎Divine empowerment defied natural limitations.

‎Turnaround: From ordinary strength into extraordinary performance.

‎Lesson: When God’s hand rests on a man, he outruns competitors without striving. Overtaken grace is gotten from the Hand of God.

‎6. The Hand of God Turns Mourning into Celebration

‎Key Scripture:

‎“And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.” — Esther 2:15

‎Example: Esther

‎Orphaned, exiled, disadvantaged.

‎One divine positioning turned her into a queen.

‎Turnaround: From orphanhood → royalty; from victim → savior of a nation.

‎Lesson: God’s hand repositions a man where effort cannot.

‎7. The Hand of God Preserves a Man for Future Glory

‎Key Scripture:

‎“But the LORD was with Joseph.” — Genesis 39:21

‎Example: Joseph

‎Betrayed, enslaved, imprisoned.

‎God’s hand kept him favored even in chains.

‎Turnaround: From prison ‘n palace in one day.

‎Lesson: When God’s hand is upon a man, delay never becomes denial.

‎8. The Hand of God Makes Help Come from Unlikely Sources

‎Key Scripture:

‎“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD.” — Proverbs 21:1

‎Example: Cyrus (Ezra 1:1–3)

‎A pagan king sponsored God’s agenda.

‎Funded temple restoration.

‎Turnaround: Help came from where it was least expected.

‎Lesson: God’s hand can reprogram systems and people to favor a man.

‎9. The Hand of God Brings Rest After Long Struggle

‎Key Scripture:

‎“So the LORD gave them rest round about.” — Joshua 21:44

‎Example: Joshua and Israel

‎Years of warfare.

‎God’s hand brought peace and settlement.

‎Turnaround: From constant battle into established inheritance.

‎Lesson: God’s gracious hand doesn’t just give victory—it gives rest and stability.

‎10. The Hand of God Makes a Man a Living Wonder

‎Key Scripture:

‎“And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with them.” — Ezekiel 20:42

‎Example: Job

‎Lost everything.

‎God restored him double.

‎Turnaround: From ashes into abundance; from pity into envy.

‎Lesson: God’s hand can turn a man into a reference point of mercy.

‎Summary Declaration

‎When the gracious hand of God comes upon a man:

‎Doors open without struggle

‎Shame turns to honor

‎Delay bows to destiny

‎Weakness gives way to excellence

‎Tears become testimonies

‎“By strength shall no man prevail.” — 1 Samuel 2:9. THIS YEAR YOU WILL ENJOY THE GOOD HAND OF GOD IN ALL YOUR LIFE ENDEAVOURS IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

‎Bishop Dr Gbenga Barnabas is of the Rooted To Flourish Ministry, Gwagwalada Abuja, FCT. He can be reached on Telephone: +2347067543533.

‎Note Please: Sunday Sermon is a new introduction on the staple of DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS for media evangelism. Interested Pastors, General Overseers, and Ministries/ Churches should contact the Managing Editor on +234 8052903275 or on email: babalolatunde2002@gmail.com; decencyglobalnews2020@gmail.com

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