Wednesday, March 12

Leaning On The Everlasting Arms

1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Christians are shown enjoying a meal together in the above photographic rendering. When Christians come together for such occasions, they are also in fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ as John points out in the passage above. These times of coming together by a church family are filled with joy and peace as everyone has a common mindset of leaning on the everlasting arms of the LORD. This leaning is just another way of saying that their trust and hope is in God rather than themselves, political leaders, or government. To lean on the arms of princes, kings, or presidents is pure folly, but trusting in God’s sovereignty, providence, and His Word is fail-safe. With the guarantee of spiritual security through eternal life, Christians can be secure when troubles of all kinds come knocking at their door.

Praise God for the inheritance that we have as adopted sons and daughters of His Kingdom. Brethren, look closely at the words to the hymn below. Reflect on the magnificent truths that are made in each line of this short but rich hymn. Joy divine – peace is mine – secure – sweet to walk – bright the path – what have I to dread – what have I to fear – blessed peace – Lord so near. Let us rejoice as we lean on the everlasting arms.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Words by: Elisha A. Hoffman

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

6 comments:

donsands said...

I remember watching The Andy Griffith Show, and they were singing this in church on Sunday.

No more good shows. It's sad.

Thanks Wayne. Very encouraging words.

mark pierson said...

The message of repentance and remission of sins drives the sinner into taking refuge in Him. Going on in the Christian experience literally drives you into His arms.

jazzycat said...

Don,
We have all the old B&W Andy Griffith shows and I remember them singing that hymn now that you mention it. Thanks for reminding me.

jazzycat said...

Mark,
Excellent point. What a heresy for those, like the free grace zealots, that claim a true believer might be so unaffected by salvation that he continues unchanged from the grace he has received. I would call that fantasy salvation like participating in a fantasy NFL football camp and thinking you are a real NFL football player.

Anonymous said...

"...that claim a true believer might be so unaffected by salvation that he continues unchanged from the grace he has received."

Amen, Jazzy.

Even when I'm 'running' from God - I am STILL affected, because He's right there, not allowing me to continue in such-n-such behavior. I belive that's called the convicting, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

jazzycat said...

Gayla,
Good point. Conviction of sin is something that the Holy Spirit uses to get our attention.