Everlasting Arms

Resting in the Arms of God

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 ESV

“Everything is going to be alright. God’s got this.” and, “He works everything for good.” Are all great sounding Christian ideas but in times of grief and discouragement the words often feel hollow and empty.

Some years ago we used to trade babysitting duties with another young couple so we could each have a kid-free night out. Their smallest was Debbie. From the first night she came Debbie decided that the only way she would go to sleep was if I held her in my arms and walked back and forth in our apartment for at least 20 minutes. Though my arms ached by the time she fell fast asleep I grew to have a special attachment to her.

That is what prayer is supposed to be between us and God. He invites us to bring Him our inconsolable griefs and welcomes us to be carried in His arms. Often I need Him to walk me back and forth across the throne room of heaven for much longer than I needed to carry Debbie. But the comfort and assurance I find there alone helps me embrace the truth that He is working all things together for good. Yes He is a good God – but only prayer keeps me close enough to His heart so that I can learn to rest in Him. Are you resting in the arms of God today?

The Everlasting Arms

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Years ago when our forty something year old boys were small we used to swap baby-sitting duties with friends. Whenever it was our turn to watch theirs I usually ended up being the one to rock the two year old in my arms at bedtime while my wife put down our boys and their two older girls.

Debbie liked nothing better than hanging out with me as long as I kept rocking or walking around with her. It seemed the only thing that gave her the feeling of being safe enough to eventually get to sleep. That memory reminded me of Deuteronomy 33:27 where it says

The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms! What a comfort in these tense times to know that God is holding us and he will keep us safe. This week’s song session includes Leaning on the Everlasting Arms and Bind us Together. I hope these will be an encouragement to you to trust more deeply and rest more completely on the Everlasting Arms of God!

What me Worry?

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Worry is something just about everyone on the planet does; but why? “Don’t worry, be happy.” is pretty snappy but on the face of real life stuff its about as useful as a screen door in a submarine. Rather than spending time researching why not invest some time looking at what God has to say?

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 ESV

I have found that the best recipe for worry is to set aside focused time alone and just sing. To take a line from the not too theologically correct movie ELF – “The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.” Today’s video draws comfort from singing some songs to bring you cheer. I hope they make somebody’s day a little brighter! Blessings