The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.—Deuteronomy 33:27, NIV
This morning while reading Mark 9, I saw a beautiful picture of our Jesus. He created a visual aid when He took a little child into His arms and told the disciples that anyone who welcomes a little child in His name welcomes Jesus and the One who sent Him (Mark 9:36, 37, NIV). In the next chapter, Mark recounts the familiar story of Jesus welcoming children to come to Him. Again, Mark emphasizes that Jesus “took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark10:16, NIV).
Suddenly, I noticed that only Mark mentions Jesus taking children into His arms. Matthew and Luke both tell these same stories, but neither author mentions the fact that Jesus takes children into His arms. Don’t you love this picture? Can’t you just see Jesus reach out to the little ones, and they respond by climbing onto His lap? What could be more comforting than to feel loving, safe arms around you? Children were the most marginalized class in the time of Jesus. They were not seen as important or contributing members of society—though even slaves contributed. Yet, Jesus saw their value and true worth; and He admonishes each of us to become loving and trusting “as a little child” (verse 15, NKJV).
As I was reflecting about the arms of Jesus, I was drawn to a beautiful passage in Deuteronomy 33 that concludes Moses’ blessing on the tribes of Israel before His death. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (verse 27, NKJV). There is nothing like the feeling of God’s arms around you! Once in an extremely difficult time in my life, I was talking to the Lord and asking Him to comfort me. I opened my Bible, and there it was! “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13, NIV).
Our God knows us personally and intimately. He knows our needs and desires. He loves us infinitely and unconditionally. Maybe today you need to feel His strong arms supporting, lifting, and comforting you. He is there for you! Just lean back and rest in those strong arms of love. He will carry you through whatever you are facing.
Myrna Hanna
First published in Carolyn Rathbun Sutton, ed., In His Presence (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference Women’s Ministries Department, 2018), 326.
