The Everlasting Arms — A LifeWords Devotion

Deuteronomy 33:27

When we pray to God, or think about him, or talk about him, it is a challenge to picture him. We are aware of the dangers of creating some sort of false idol, or a distorted picture of him that reflects our own fears or insecurities.

And yet it is helpful to use our God given imaginations to have some sort of idea of just who he is. When we turn to imagining Jesus, we have a similar problem in wondering just what he looked like (probably not the blue-eyed film star with flowing golden locks!).

Reflecting on God might involve thinking about what he is like, how he is relating to us. One helpful image is in our text today. The God to whom I pray and in whom I trust, is the one who holds me up. He offers me safe refuge, though not immunity from troubles. The safe refuge comes in the form of the everlasting arms supporting me.

Of course, he has no literal arms, but the idea is plain enough. Whatever storms are round about, he has hold of me. And his hold does not weaken over time. When I forget him, he does not forget me. I pray and relate to one who cradles me in good times and bad times. Not some cosmic CEO or some temperamental tyrant.

Our bodies and spirits might be weak, but underneath are the everlasting arms.

Blessings,