LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS

“THE ETERNAL GOD is your refuge, and underneath are the EVERLASTING ARMS…” – Deuteronomy 33:27a

This is my Story. This is my Song. I am LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS of GOD. This is His promise: “THE ETERNAL GOD is your refuge, and underneath are the EVERLASTING ARMS; He will thrust out the enemy from before you; and will say, ‘Destroy!’ (Deut.32:27). The LORD our GOD is “the EVERLASTING GOD” (Gen.21:33). His Covenant is Everlasting (Gen.9:16). He gives “an everlasting possession” (Gen.17:7-8, 19). He instituted “an everlasting priesthood” (Exo.40:15; Num.25:12-13). He relates with everlasting love (Jer.31:3).

Moses was preparing to die on Mount Pisgah, after which Joshua will take over and lead Israel to conquer the Promised Land. Moses has just blessed each of the twelve tribes by name. Now he concluded with a prophetic blessing over Israel as a whole, encouraging them to prepare to enter Canaan: “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds” (v.26). Jeshurun – “upright one” – was a kind of pet-name, a name of endearment that described Israel's ideal character. God “rides the heavens” to help Jeshurun, His favourite child. That’s His pledge to all of His beloved, when in trouble. But His help manifests when you know Him as “your refuge…” (v.27a). “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High….” (Psa.91:1). Is the Eternal God your refuge and dwelling place?

“The Eternal God”! Our enemies are temporal, newcomers to the scene, but our God is eternal – timeless and forever. He is the “I AM WHO I AM” (Exo. 3:14). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev.1:8). And “underneath are the Everlasting Arms”! The Bible refers to arms in many ways: tender arms that hold and carry; supportive arms to lean on; and open arms to welcome and embrace – “He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His ARM, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Isa.40:11). In Deuteronomy 33:27, ‘arm’ suggests military prowess, as God fights for Israel in the face of their enemies. We read of God's strong deliverance of His people from Egypt, “by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deut.4:34, 5:15, 26:8; Psa.136:12).

God’s mighty, outstretched, holy ARM is the symbol of strength and deliverance: “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm” (Exo. 6:6); “You have with Your arm redeemed your people” (Psa. 77:15). Hezekiah declared: “With him [the king of Assyria] is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chr. 32:8).

Beloved, please join me in singing this old but living hymn – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms:

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain: Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.” [Refrain]

The Eternal God is our home. We enjoy His Presence, and when trouble strikes or the enemy attacks, His Everlasting Arms will defend us or utterly rout the enemy. That doesn't mean we would not utilise the weapons of our warfare which are mighty through God (2Cor.10:4). We would, but His arms are ever-ready from “underneath” to fight on our behalf.

Isaiah offers a wonderful prayer: “O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be their ARM EVERY MORNING, our salvation in the time of trouble” (Isa. 33:2). Beloved, enjoy the Eternal God. Live in the “dwelling place” of His presence, sharing your day-to-day life with Him, secure in the knowledge that, whenever needed, His strong Ancient, Eternal, Everlasting Arms will fight on your behalf and win the day! God’s “got your back”!