Safe and Strong

READ: DEUTERONOMY 33:26-29; ISAIAH 40:1-11; JOHN 10:10-11, 27-30

When I was little, my dad had a friend who visited us, named Dennis. Once we took him on a walk through the woods on some family property. My parents probably suggested I change into more suitable shoes, but I wore sandals. Before long, I stepped into a pile of biting fire ants. As the insects swarmed my feet, Dennis quickly reached down and scooped me up. As he held me, he brushed the bugs away. I felt protected and safe in his arms, high above the stinging ants.

Later, we ate lunch with Dennis. During the meal, I choked on an onion ring. Dennis knew how to help. I don’t remember how the onion got dislodged, but I do remember Dennis comforting me again in the safety of his strong arms. The strength he shared—and the safety I felt—is something I remember about Dennis decades later.

When I ponder God’s character, sometimes these memories of Dennis come to mind. In the Bible, we find that whenever we’re in trouble, God reaches down to rescue us. In Jesus, He endured the cross so that we could be held, protected and safe, in His strong arms. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, not only do we receive forgiveness and eternal life, but Christ also ushers us into a relationship with God our Father. And what a Father He is!

The prophet Isaiah says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (40:11). And later, Isaiah shares God’s words to us, “I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (46:4). Sometimes it’s difficult to envision God as a loving Father, especially if our parents were distant or harsh. But God the Father looks after us with care and holds us close in our need—like Dennis did for me. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Can you think of any people in your life who’ve shown you the compassionate strength of God the Father? How did their actions show God’s love?

• How could remembering that God carries us close to His heart help us trust Him more? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this, and maybe even imagine Him holding you this way.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)