Daily Devotional

Deuteronomy 33:27  

“The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms.”  

When Moses wrote these words, Israel was camped near the Jordon River.  They were about to cross the river and take possession of the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Moses drew their attention to the fact that God had sustained them through 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  With His mighty arms He had held them and He was the refuge to which they could run for safety.  I am reminded of a popular hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” written by Elisha Hoffman, that we sang in church for many years.  
 
“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
Leaning, leaning
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning, leaning
Leaning on the everlasting arms”

Ever since Israel left the land of Egypt, God had been their source of security, safety and peace of mind.  Israel did not always lean on the Lord for strength, but often murmured, complained and tried to do things in their own strength.  Even with their rebellious attitude, when Israel would turn to God, He would provide victory over their enemies and sustain them in life.  Moses was encouraging this new generation to go into the Promised Land and take possession of it.  They would fight against nations that were stronger, out numbered them and had greater physical resources.  Israel, though, had God on their side and He was greater and more powerful then any army that they would face.  God had always been there for them and He was not going to walk away from them now.  As Israel marched into battle, they had to follow God’s commands, rely on His strength and then their enemies would fall before them.  Their focus had to be on the One Who had promised them the victory.

Just as Israel had to lean on the Lord for strength, we have to lean on Him today.  Our minds need to lean on the truth of who God is and the promises He has made as revealed in Scripture.  From these truths our minds will receive support and we will be held in His “everlasting arms” in troubling times.  As we lean on the Lord we find Him to be our refuge from all that we face in life and our source of strength.  Our minds will be at peace, free from worry and guarded from thoughts that would distort our complete trust in God.

As you face life today, are you leaning on the “everlasting arms” for strength?  Are you running to the Lord for refuge from the troubles of life?

Prayer:  Lord, I am so prone to worry and fear.  Thank you for being my refuge and strength as I face the troubles of life.  Help me always to run to You!  Amen

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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