A Call to Arms

[Gene C Blankenship]

Once my daughter was thrown from a horse during lessons as a child and I rushed over and carried her from the arena, she was shaken up but ok after a little pep talk from some of the other risers I helped her back in the saddle. One day my son rode his bike down a hill on our farm and misjudged a turn and he went flying into the bushes on the other side of the road. Again I rushed over and picked him up and help him in my arms as I pulled briars out of his hair. Many times I’ve picked my children up in my arms, wiped away tears tried to speak words of encouragement and held them close. My wife enjoys sitting and hugging on both of our children just to have them close. Safe and secure.

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

There are times I just want to hide. Away from the demands of life, away from the concerns that occupy my mind and into peace where I can rest and clear away the cobwebs that distracts me from my purpose. Many of us try to clear out with a vacation or some activity we enjoy. It doesn’t make sense though, we spend 50 weeks a year getting all knotted up from the pressures of work and life and we think a week away can work out all the kinks. Usually you need a vacation to recover from a vacation.

This verse represents some of Moses final words and from this it is clear that he depends on God for his home and rest. My son Clay loves to be at home, when we are on a trip and we get back to the house he spins and covers every inch our home in every kind of play and dance. Moses clearly knows what rest is, it is in Gods presence and the Lords arms are never failing, always willing to stretch out and grasp the weary traveler. Yet in those arms lies power and renewal available to you and me. Nothing gets me going like someone saying,  “oh me, I’m just trying to hold on to Jesus!...”  Stop trying to hold on to God, He’s got you firmly contained in the body of Christ, His dwelling place, His church. In His grasp you cannot be pulled free, you are secure. So stop wiggling around.

Isaiah 40:31  But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

Run don’t walk into these arms! Soar high, leave the fray into the clear air that gives you flight above the noise. These are the same arms that carried the cross to a place of destruction; the same arms were nailed to that cross, the arms of Christ holding the sins of man-kind up to His Father as a sacrifice so you and I would have a life free from the grasp of sin. What have I to dread, what have I to fear? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near. Leaning on the everlasting arms.