The sovereign hands that tenderly hold us close to the Good Shepherd’s heart bear the scars of eternal love.
One of my uncles was a lifelong farmer. He developed powerful arms from the manual labour of his daily work. A wonderfully vivid mental image I have of my beloved uncle was from the time when he and I discovered several one day old kittens in the barn. Ever so gently he picked up one in his strong hand. The mother cat purred and rubbed against his leg as he gently inspected her kitten. I marvelled at his careful manner even though he was so obviously strong. That day I learned about the gentleness of strength.
Our verses for today compare the marvelous sovereign strength of the Lord with how tenderly He deals with His people. God’s sheep have this incredible vision of awesome strength combined with a manner so tender and mild.
The picture here is incredibly comforting and soothing to troubled souls.
Our Father in heaven uses His sovereign strength to shield and protect His chosen ones, while at the same time tenderly ministering love and grace to His people. How then do we resort to fear and trembling at the sudden presence of our enemies when we are held gently close to the heart of our sovereign King?
If you are a child of God—one of His sheep—you are so welcome to come into His protective embrace right now. So, turn your back on what troubles you and run into His strong arms today.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels,
Borne in a song to me,
Over the fields of glory,
Over the jasper sea
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world’s temptations,
Sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow,
Free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials,
Only a few more tears. [Refrain]
Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages,
Ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience,
Wait till the night is o’er;
Wait till I see the morning
Break on the golden shore.
- Fanny Crosby
