“…the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God.” That is from verse one of Ecclesiastes chapter nine.

What does it mean to be in God’s hand? What does it mean that the righteous and wise and their deeds are in God’s hand?

Firstly, I would say the wise and the righteous are the same person. You can’t be wise and unrighteous. It’s foolish to be unrighteous.

And their deeds go with them. The stories in the Bible of final judgement are all about our deeds, what people did or didn’t do. Your deeds go with you; they define who you are.

So, what does it mean to be in God’s hand or for someone to be in God’s hand?

Here are some Scriptures.

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.

Psalm 63:8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Isaiah 46:4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Psalm 139:10 Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 31:15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

In God’s hand means He’s in charge of what happens to us. He will take us where we need to be, help us along, carry us when we need it (always!), and rescue us because our fate is His determination and no one else’s.

So, if God is going to do all that for us? What is our job?

Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

In Scripture, our white garments are our righteous deeds. The oil poured out is the Spirit. Keep your lamp burning. Do good, not evil.