Some people think we’re copying an occult practice when we stretch our hands toward people as we minister to them. They say that’s what witch-doctors and magicians do and it’s called ‘the finger of God.’ How absurd! The magicians of Egypt tried to do what Moses did and failed; they had to admit he did those things by ‘the finger of God’ (Exodus 8:18-19). That was not demonic power they were talking about (because they had that and it didn’t work), but the power of God!
In Acts 4:29-30, the Christians prayed and said: “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” How do you think God stretches forth His hands today? Remember, we’re His living tabernacle; so when we stretch forth our hands, God stretches forth His hands. That’s the reason Acts 5:12 says, “…by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people….” They prayed to God that He would stretch forth His hands and He did - through the hands of the apostles!
When we stretch forth our hands, we’re directing the power of God toward the one we’re ministering to. That’s exactly what Jesus did when He ministered to people. He said in Luke 11:20, “…if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” and in Matthew 12:28, “…if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you” thus letting us know that the finger of God is figurative of the Holy Spirit. So they may accuse us of using ‘the finger of God’ but praise God, He’s just so glad we did!
