Encouragement for Today - April 17, 2006
4/17/06
Encouragement for Today
“The Arm of the Lord”
Marybeth Whalen, Author, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Isaiah 59:1, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.” (NIV)
Devotion:
I heard a story once about an elderly woman whose husband went to the hospital emergency room complaining of chest pains. After she had waited for hours, a young doctor came out to explain that her husband was stable but would need to be moved to a larger hospital far away from her to receive the treatment he needed. Though the woman was grateful that her husband would be okay, she was saddened to learn that he would need to be hospitalized so far away. Because of her own health concerns, there was no way she would be able to make the long drive to see him each day. Sadly, she returned home alone.
Later that day, her neighbor and friend came over to check on her. The two women talked about her husband’s health and her grief that he would be so far away. Her friend began to pray for her and her husband. “Lord,” her friend prayed, “We know that our arms cannot reach to him, but yours can. Your arms are not too short to reach him, no matter where he is. We will choose to rest in that, and to know that you are comforting him when we cannot.” After her friend prayed, the woman felt better. She had peace after her friend’s reminder that God’s arms were not affected by human limitations like distance, old age and failing health. She slept well that night trusting God to care for her husband and work out the situation.
Is there someone in your life who needs God’s arms to reach where you cannot? Perhaps it is a child who needs God’s arms to reach the place he has run to. Perhaps it is a loved one who is far away from you but going through a hard time. Perhaps it is your husband who has withdrawn from everyone — even from you. Whatever your situation, God’s arms are not too short to reach. He can touch that person in a way that you cannot. He can take care of that person when you cannot. You need to give the situation to Him and trust Him to resolve it according to His perfect plan.
Sometimes it is hard to give a situation to God. We want to hold onto it and worry over it, as if we can do anything about it by worrying. When you feel yourself giving way to the temptation to worry, pray instead. Remind yourself that God’s arms are not too short and verbally give the situation to Him to take care of. You may need to do this several times a day at first. Tell God that you trust Him and you are placing your loved one in His capable hands. Recommit the situation to Him as often as you need to.
God’s arms are not too short for the situation, and they are not too short for you either. Let God wrap His powerful arms around you and comfort you today. Feel the warmth of His embrace and the comfort of His care for you. Rest in that and feel the peace He longs to fill you with.
My Prayer for Today:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You Lord that I can trust Your arms to reach where I cannot. Thank You for that reminder today. Lord I commit my situation into Your capable hands. I will trust You to take care of it for me and I will rest in that. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Take comfort today in God’s power. When you begin to worry, meditate on the verses from today’s devotion. Rest in His ability to take care of those that are out of your reach. Find strength and comfort in the Truth that He is in control of the situation, no matter how hopeless and sad it might seem to you.
Reflection Points:
When the woman in the story experienced peace, it was because she let go of her grief and her confusion, and rested in God’s ability and sovereignty. Do you need to do that today? Do you need to let God take care of things because there is no way you can do it on your own?
Power Verses:
Numbers 11:23, “The Lord answered Moses, Is the Lord’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” (NIV)
Deuteronomy 7:19, “You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.” (NIV)
Psalm 44:3, “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” (NIV)
Jeremiah 27:5, “With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Intimate Moments with God, by select authors
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_intimateMoments.htm
Coming Out of the Dark, by Mary Southerland
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_outDark.htm
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_whoHoldsKey.htm
