1-1-2016

 Good Morning All!!   

          Isaiah 40:11; “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.”

    It is one of the more recurring themes throughout the Bible; the idea of the strong arm of the Lord.  The use of “the arm of the Lord” is often used to show God’s power and his might as in “I will rescue you with my powerful arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”(Exodus 6:6)  We see God’s arm as displaying God’s power, wrath against evil, defending his people and acting on behalf of the people or objects he wishes to protect or correct.  We see that God’s might and power is always in control, always superior to whatever stands opposed to him.

    This is what makes our verse today so unique.  Rather than power and might we see tenderness and love.  It is something along the line of when we see soldiers who stop and carry children to safety; or perhaps when we saw the story of the policeman who stayed and comforted his wounded horse.  It is also along the line of the farmer or the laborer who has hard and calloused hands then gently caresses a child or his spouse.  It is this juxtaposition of incredible raw strength combined and even superseded by true love and compassion.  We don’t often expect the two to go together.  They are often shown as opposites.  Yet in God we see the greatness of the tow fully entwined in one God.

    This means for us, as the lambs that the shepherd gathers in his arms, we have God’s love, compassion, comfort, consolation and mercy always poured out upon us.  We know that in all that happens, God’s love for us is always there to give us hope.  This is then elevated because in all things, God’s powerful arm will defeat all enemies.  We might even picture it in our mind with God as a warrior who has picked up us, wounded in the fray, and carrying us in one arm, gently and lovingly.  In the meantime, the other arm is swinging the sword to fend off and defeat the foes.

    In a more practical thought, as you lie awake at night struggling with your doubts about your future, whether it is fits of loneliness, or health concerns, or relationship struggles or finance worries  or any other fears that consume you; God is holding you in his arms offering you the comfort of his mercy and grace.  We have the certainty of his promise to never abandon us but to prosper us with his love.  We can tie to this that God’s powerful arm will always win.  God’s powerful arm has already defeated all our enemies.  We can rest knowing that God has already won the battle for us and we can trust in his loving arms to shield us and keep us in his glory and victory.

Gracious Father, in your love you hide us in your wings; you protect us in your powerful and loving arms.  In you we have peace.  Keep us mindful of your great love.  Keep us at peace in the knowledge of your power at work for us in your total love.  Defend us through all our battles.  Calm our hearts and strengthen our faith.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret