1318. He Undergirds Us with His Arms

He Undergirds Us with His Arms

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deu_33:27).

We are learning that God cares for His own. He is above us, for "He is Lord in Heaven above." He is around us, because "He encampeth round about them that fear Him." He goes before us, for the "Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud." He is behind us, for the "Angel of the Lord removed and went behind." He is with us, "Lo, I am with you always." He is within us, for "He dwelleth with you and shall be in you." And now, He is beneath us, for "Underneath are the everlasting arms." This is a. picture not only of refuge and of security, but of tenderest love. The Songs of Solomon give two beautiful pictures which are apropos.

1. Chapter Isa_2:4-6 : "He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. * * His left hand is under my head, and His right hand doth embrace me." This first picture is the picture of confiding love. Fickle man might try to imagine a scene of impurity. The wife, however, has the right to lean her head upon the shoulder of her husband, and to feel his arm around her. We often sing "Safe in the arms of Jesus" at a funeral, but God's children are always "safe in the arms of Jesus." It is not alone after we die, it is while we live that He holds us in His arms.

In Mar_10:16 we read how Christ took the little children up in His arms and put His hands upon them and blessed them. What a holy picture! Jesus Christ takes us, too, in His arms. He is constantly saying, "Child of My love, lean hard and let Me feel the pressure of thy care. I know thy burdens, child, so, trusting Me, lean hard."

2. Chapter Mar_8:5 : "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?" The many vicissitudes which followed the Shulamite are over. At last she has found her shepherd lover and she is coming to her master's home. Her hand is in the arm of her betrothed and she is leaning upon him. No wonder, we read in the next verse: "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death." And then in Mar_8:7 : "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned." This is a picture applicable to Christ and His Church. He loves us with an everlasting love. He loves us even unto the death. Nothing can quench the fire of His love. Let us, then, put our hand in His arm; let us lean heavily upon Him, let us trust His love.

"The arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholdeth the righteous." He who leans upon the arm of the lawless one, shall, surely fall, but he who leans upon the arm of Christ shall reach home at last. "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR