December 7 – Scattered and Re-gathered

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” -  Isaiah 40:11 (ESV)

The picture this verse draws for us is first one of God’s omnipotence. The context here is the prophecy of the Jews begin scattered over all the earth. Subsequently, God will overcome their oppressors and gather His people together and care for them. Are we familiar with the picture of our Lord as a shepherd caring for his sheep? It is an image used to show God's relationship with His followers. We are so glad that He considers us a part of those who can depend on His care every day. As we read this verse today these words are especially impressed on our hearts: “carries them in His bosom” – meaning He carries them close to his heart.  These special words remind us of God's promise and His great love for us. He wants us to feel this and He wants us to respond to His love. Then let us remember that to be held close to the heart of the shepherd made it possible for a lamb to feel the heartbeat of the shepherd. So it is for us. When our Lord carries us close to his heart, we can sense His love for others and for ourselves.

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April 23 – Sure and Secure Support

“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”  Deuteronomy 33:27a (ESV)

The words* of our verse are true for us as well and we can apply them to our lives today because we have the same God and we know He has not changed.  Our God is eternal. He has always been and He will always be.  Our verse today reminds us that those who trust in Him will find a sense of real security in doing so.  Our verse also assures us that we can relax and depend on our Lord as a child relaxes in the arms of a loving parent.  We can know that our Lord is always there holding us up. Let's just keep trusting in Him and relaxing in His care.  Even though ahead may be times of challenge and difficult circumstances, God our Lord and Savior is always there wherever we are and He is always supporting us from underneath as we allow Him to do so. Trust Him by relaxing in His everlasting arms today and He will keep us from falling.

* These are words given by Moses to the tribe of Asher when he spoke his last words of blessing and prophecy to each of the tribes of Israel before he climbed to the top of Mount Nebo in Moab.  It was from that summit God showed Moses the Promised Land that he would never enter and it is there He died and God buried Moses in the valley of Moab. 

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May 14 – Supporting From Underneath

“The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; And He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, ‘Destroy!’” Deuteronomy 33:27 (NASB)

These recorded words were delivered by Moses to the Children of Israel just prior to Moses' death. He pronounced these words of blessings on the people whom he had been leading toward the Promised Land. We too are children of God and can trust the words of promise as Moses declares and reminds the people that God is eternal and he provides for His children a dwelling place, a refuge, from the world which threatens us. Underneath us are the everlasting arms which refer to the way God takes care of His own. With God's arms underneath us we can know for certain that He is supporting us because He has promised. God will keep us from falling into the dangerous situations that we are afraid of. God will keep us from falling into discouragement. We can believe and relax. We do not have to worry or be anxious and we don't need to look anywhere else for help. He is there and He'll care for us completely.  

August 21 – Infinitely Strong and Mighty

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27a (NIV)

We hope that today's blessed promise brings you encouragement and hope. At the end of Moses' life, he spoke one last time giving a blessing to each of the tribes of Israel. This verse was part of what he said to the tribe of Asher. We worship and serve the same God and this promise is ours today as it was for them when Moses gave it. The promise is that the eternal God is our refuge and his everlasting arms are what keep us up when difficulties in life come our way. It is a great comfort to know He loves us so much. I like how Charles F. Stanley describes it. “Can we have a better friend than one who is infinitely strong and mighty, yet at the same time loving and gentle? Our God tenderly loves us and protects us, yet has defeated all our spiritual enemies, including the devil.” Let us go forth today encouraged that we are able to face our world because underneath us are God's everlasting arms.