She rose from her chair to join her husband, Blake, the young pastor at our church, at the front of the sanctuary. The elders gathered around to pray for our pastor and his wife. But what struck me in particular was how tenderly Mallory held her sleeping baby close to her chest. The baby was snugly nestled in a wrap and in her arms; she slept peacefully through the whole prayer not even stirring.
It was such a visual picture to me of how God nestles us in His Arms as well. And having just gone through several new health challenges including an emergency surgery for an abscessed tooth and another back procedure I was facing the next morning, I pictured myself held by God.
Trials seem to surround us all in greater measure these days...
Then I thought of my friend Stacy who is battling a very rare form of cancer. New spots have appeared. But rather than being defeated by fear, she is facing chemotherapy and new treatments with a boldness of faith. Stacy often asks for prayer from her close circle of friends to support her. Her security is anchored in God, and Stacy is being held in His Arms.
Or as we watch the news of bombs still raining down on Israel and realize many of its citizens and children are living in bomb shelters, or citizens of Gaza have had to flee, I pondered the new meaning of what it meant to be sheltered in God’s care.
Though the trials can descend on us suddenly through life’s health challenges, where do we turn for help? Where do your hope and confidence lie?
While we live in such fearful and uncertain times, where do we turn for safety and peace of mind? Can you find true shelter in God when the arrows of life seem to rain down upon you all at once?
A verse in Psalms 91 popped up on my news feed that same day: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalms 91:1-2).
As I dug further into that scripture in Psalms 91, I was amazed to discover greater meaning and truth in The Passion Translation. “When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.” The Hebrew word for Shaddai has many expressive meanings. It means He is the “God of the Mountain.” He is “God the Destroyer of Enemies.” He is “God the Almighty” and He is “God the Nurturer of Babies.”
The last definition took me by complete surprise. And suddenly I saw a whole new meaning to that scripture and a picture of God as a nurturing and protective mother. You see, no matter what life’s trials bring, God is the All-Sufficient One. He longs to draw us into His Arms and hold us close and safe. And He will protect us. And like a baby nestled in its mother’s arms, we can sleep safely and have peace of mind no matter what is happening all around us.
Draw close. He is waiting and His Wraparound Presence will hold you and carry you through whatever health battle, difficulty, or trial you face.
Beloved:
Draw near to Me. Come and rest your weary mind and heart at My chest. Snuggled close for I am a tender and caring God just like a mother holds an infant in her arms. I am your peace and safety. I long to wrap you in My Arms. I am waiting My beloved one.
‘His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under His covering of Majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing...” (Psalm 91: 4-6)