Everlasting Arms!!

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

This past summer our family had an unexpected chance to visit Jamaica for our family vacation. It was a last minute COVID induced trip, and although, we were a bit skeptical, it ended up being one of our favorite trips.

Included in our plans was an excursion that was billed as “Swim with the Dolphins”. I’m not sure about the others, but when I pictured this dolphin swim, I saw a white sandy beach, crystal blue water, dolphins swimming around, and our family swimming along with them.

Then reality always set in. When we arrived at the entrance to the Dolphin Swim, we entered through a building and were led outside to a bay like area where a hoard of people were donning lifejackets and being told to wait on benches in groups. Can you say, “tourist trap”? As I looked at the faces of our family, I knew they were all thinking the same thing.

When our time came to enter the water with our dolphin trainer, my impression began to change. All around us in a huge area were other groups of people in small groups with their own trainer. There was laughter, dolphins swimming everywhere, applause, and exclamations of “Wow”!

The very first thing we did with our dolphin was swim out a little way from the group, turn and put out our arms in front of us. The trainer instructed us to hold our arms there until she swam into them. That dolphin swam right into our arms and stayed there while we held and hugged her. The visions I had of swimming with the dolphins quickly became the reality of dancing with one, holding one in my arms, and riding holding her fins!!

When that dolphin swam into my arms and patiently waited for me to hold her and let me hug her, I thought how much God would enjoy us doing the same with Him. The picture of Him holding out His arms and waiting for us, but not pushing us, so He can enfold us there came to life for me!

God’s everlasting arms are found beneath us, before us, and around us in this life of ours. When we picture God’s outstretched arms, we can see arms of protection. Just like a mother or father puts his arms around their child to protect them from danger, God protects His children. It’s sometimes hard to live in this crazy world where there are dangers everywhere it seems, but the scripture above assures us that God is our protector.

God’s everlasting arms also offer affection. As mothers we know that when our children or grandchildren have fallen or are hurt, we pick them up in our arms to comfort and love them. The Bible speaks of the shepherds who carry their sheep in their strong arms to offer protection and affection. I picture God embracing us with his strong arms and telling us how much we are loved.

God’s everlasting arms offer strength. The arms of God are strong. In times of need, it’s amazing how God sends special friends whose very presence give us strength and security. We can lean on the arms of friends with confidence that they are offering their strength when our own strength is failing.

The everlasting arms of God offer endurance. The human blessings of arms of protection, affection, and strength will not last forever, but we can be assured that God’s everlasting arms will never weaken or grow weary. The arms of God are underneath His children in times of sickness, sorrow, even death. When every earthly thing is gone from beneath us, when hands that we have held are unclasped, and we sink into what seems like darkness, we will find ourselves in the everlasting arms of Christ. copied

Just like our dolphins who were perfectly at peace in our arms, one day we will all have that same feeling resting in God’s everlasting arms.

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. Leaning, Leaning, safe and secure from all alarms. Leaning, Leaning, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Lyrics by Elisha Hoffman