Another brother-in-law graduated into the presence of Jesus this weekend. The day before he died, some of the family gathered in his hospital room and sang some hymns. He gave little indication that he was aware, but when his wife asked if that was good, he gave a small nod. He was one who knew that he was ready to die. He had been on the mission field in Haiti and in the Congo, and when he and his family returned to Canada, he continued to be a missionary here.
One of the songs we sang was "Safe in the Arms of Jesus", and that is where he now is, I believe. Paul said, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," and he expressed a "desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better" (Philippians 1:21, 23b).
That song came back into my mind again today, plus another old hymn, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms", and I began to think about the arms of Jesus, and the arms of God.
We know that Jesus took up the little children into His arms: "Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them....And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them" (Mark 10:13a, 16). What a sweet picture!
Another lovely picture is in Isaiah 40:11..."He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young." (My sister-in-law used to claim that she was the one in the Shepherd's arms, so I had to claim that I was on His shoulder.)
If we back up one verse, though, there is a different purpose of His arm..."Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him..." He repeatedly reminded the people of Israel that He had brought them out of their condition of slavery in Egypt with "a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." A few of those references are Deuteronomy 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 11:2; 2 Kings 17:36; Psalm 136:11,12 and there are many more.
We are also told that it was by His outstretched arm that He created everything. Jeremiah 32:17: "Ah, Lord God! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."
Then there is a lovely blessing that Moses speaks over Jeshurun (Israel) in Deuteronomy 33:27a: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms..."
I don't know if I have mentioned this song by Brian Doerksen before, but the lyrics are so simply beautiful and uplifting. It's called "Everlasting Arms". His little bridge shows up just once, and fits in so sweetly. Here are the lyrics:
We don't know when this storm is going to break
But underneath all things the everlasting arms
We don't know how much more our hearts can take
But underneath all things the everlasting arms
[Chorus]
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms
Underneath all things, everlasting arms of grace
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms
Underneath it all is love
[Verse 2]
We don't know when this fiery trial will pass
But underneath all things the everlasting arms
We don't know how long this pain will last
Underneath all things the everlasting arms
[Chorus]
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms
Underneath all things, everlasting arms of grace
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms
Underneath it all is love
[Bridge]
Just when I thought life was over
Just when I felt like love was gone
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms
Underneath all things, everlasting arms of grace
Underneath all things are the everlasting arms
Underneath it all is love
