SEARCHLIGHT
What do you know about God that assures you that you should trust Him?
SCRIPTURE
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.’” Exodus 6:6
SPOTLIGHT
My grandson did not know it, but his father had extended his arm toward him to make sure he did not fall as he was running in the woods. Unexpectedly little Grady began to slip and trip only to look up and discover that his father’s arm held him up from falling in the big puddle of water. All along Grady had been safe and secure because of his father’s arm.
Throughout the Bible, God is forever revealing Himself in unique ways in order to encourage people to know and trust Him. God helps us to understand just how much He wants to influence our lives with power, support, and deliverance by figuratively describing Himself in the Bible as having arms. Please note:
1. God’s outstretched arms are arms of deliverance. Exodus 6:6 states, “Therefore, say to the children of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will free you from their bondage. I will redeem and rescue you with an outstretched (vigorous, powerful) arm and with great acts of judgment against Egypt.’” [Amplified Version] [see also Deuteronomy 4:34] There is no God like our God. There is nothing too great that He cannot deliver you from it.
2. God’s everlasting arms are arms of unlimited support. Deuteronomy 33:27 states, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’” Sometimes a father’s arms may get tired, or a mother’s arms may grow weak and almost drop the baby. Parents’ arms may be outstretched but they cannot be everlasting. God’s arms will never lose strength and He will never drop you. You are safe and secure in God’s everlasting arms. They are even a shield of protection for you. The old hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” is so very true:
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk, in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms,
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
3. God’s carrying arms are arms of personal care and comfort. Isaiah 40:10 states, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” God’s arms are not only strong but also loving. When a child is carried by a parent, he or she can feel the strength and compassion in the embracing arms. God holds you close to His heart as He carries you. Isaiah 46:4 expands on the truth as to how nurturing God is: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” God knows you like no one else. He will never abandon you but always be there to carry you, sustain you and rescue you if needed. Just like a good shepherd, God provides whatever is necessary for His sheep to thrive. [John 10] Never forget that God wraps His loving arms around you every time you need Him to do it. What a safe place to reside while living in this world that can often be disappointing, dismal, and even dark.
Dottie Rambo wrote a song entitled “Sheltered in the Arms of God.” It describes how a believer can personally know God’s personal care and comfort after allowing God to renew his or her spirit. The key is allowing God to touch you. Have you asked Him to place His arms around you?
I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender,
They’re leading me in paths that I must trod
I’ll have no fear cause Jesus walks beside me
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise, they won’t worry me
For I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God.
He walks with me and not of earth shall harm me
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
SOMETHING TO DO
Isaiah 40:28-31invites believers to hope in and wait on their Lord in order to gain renewed strength and experience the safety and security of God’s arms. What a fellowship! What a joy divine! Find a place to wait. Make sure there are no distractions. Spend time in the serenity to experience the safety and security which only God provides.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for extending Your open arms to me. Your love and acceptance are amazing. Thank you that Your outstretched arms are an everlasting source of refuge. They never tire. And thank you, Lord God for all the times You have carried me to a place of safety and security as well as for all the times that You will do it in the future. AMEN!