I have often quoted Deuteronomy 33:27 to people walking through pain or sorrow. The inspired words provide a wonderful picture of God's protective care. "The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." These words for me always generate the picture of a loving parent cradling an infant in firm, protective arms. We can rest, God is saying, in his powerful, loving protection.
The Bible uses a variety of pictures to help us grasp God's care for us. Exodus 19:4 provides another protective, but more energized picture in my mind. God through Moses speaks to the nation of Israel, saying "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." Combine that with similar words from Isaiah: "like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions (the outer part of a bird's wings)."Isaiah 32:11
Carried in a parent's arms the infant knows no fear, faces no challenge (in my mind). Carried on eagle's wings is rather more breathtaking, like for example, being taken out of Egypt, pursued by a large well trained army and being miraculously rescued; Breathtaking for those frightened eaglets nudged out of the nest, frantically beating their wings, hearts pumping madly and then caught and kept from falling by their proud, protective, soaring parent.
Everlasting arms - warm and peaceful; eagles' wings - moving us to new places, new growth through significant challenge. Which picture works for you today may depend on what is right now happening in your life. And so it is that the Bible gives us a wealth of pictures and examples to drive home the point we too often forget - or question: Our Father God cares for, protects and watches over His children. Today, I'll take the picture of eagles' wings - but tomorrow ----?
The Bible uses a variety of pictures to help us grasp God's care for us. Exodus 19:4 provides another protective, but more energized picture in my mind. God through Moses speaks to the nation of Israel, saying "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." Combine that with similar words from Isaiah: "like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions (the outer part of a bird's wings)."Isaiah 32:11
Carried in a parent's arms the infant knows no fear, faces no challenge (in my mind). Carried on eagle's wings is rather more breathtaking, like for example, being taken out of Egypt, pursued by a large well trained army and being miraculously rescued; Breathtaking for those frightened eaglets nudged out of the nest, frantically beating their wings, hearts pumping madly and then caught and kept from falling by their proud, protective, soaring parent.
Everlasting arms - warm and peaceful; eagles' wings - moving us to new places, new growth through significant challenge. Which picture works for you today may depend on what is right now happening in your life. And so it is that the Bible gives us a wealth of pictures and examples to drive home the point we too often forget - or question: Our Father God cares for, protects and watches over His children. Today, I'll take the picture of eagles' wings - but tomorrow ----?
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