"The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27).

Have you ever awakened in the morning feeling helpless, and shrinking from the burdens of the day, and longing for an arm of help; and then have you heard the still small voice, saying, "The Eternal God is thy refuge," and realized that His "everlasting arms" were beneath and around you? What comfort and strength it gives to the child of God!

We like to think of arms; the babe in the arms of its mother; the little child running into the arms of the father returning from his work; the sheltering, comforting arms of mother or friend for the child that has been hurt or frightened; the arms of the dear parents around the son or daughter who has been long away from home; the arms of friends about each other after a long separation. How comforting it is, and how often the lonely soul longs for the touch of loving arms, whether they be of mother, father, sister, brother, wife, husband or friend.

The everlasting arms of the Eternal God are our refuge, because they have saved us. To the Israelites who were in bondage in Egypt, the Lord said, "I will redeem you with a stretched out arm" (Exod. 6:6). The Lord triumphed gloriously in that work of redemption, and later in love to His people He reminded them that it was not their own arm that saved them, but His right hand, and His arm (Ps. 44:3). And that was but a picture of the eternal salvation accomplished for us, with His blessed arms outstretched on Calvary's cross. Oh, what a refuge for the sin-sick soul! Those loving arms are ever ready to receive the repentant sinner who turns to Him, for has He not said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." Let those who hear that voice cry:"I will flee unto Thee to hide me" (Ps. 143:9).

"Safe in the Rock of Ages,
Fearlessly we may hide;
Safe from the storms of judgment,
Safe from the swelling tide."

And again, should we wander away from the Father, like the prodigal, He is watching and waiting for us to return to Him. Yea, He, the Eternal God, will run to throw His arms of love around us. Listen to His loving words:"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely." What amazing grace!

"Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make me, keep me, pure within."

Or perhaps the tempter is seeking to ensnare the child of God, and again there is that feeling of insufficiency, but "He is able to deliver." The Lord Jesus said, "Without Me ye can do nothing." How good then to be able to turn to Him and say, "Thou hast a mighty arm:strong is Thy hand, and high is Thy right hand" (Ps. 89:13). And then hear His reply, "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isa. 41:13). The struggle is too great for me, but I may flee to the Eternal God, for He is "my high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour."

Those same arms shall one day "judge the people." With His mighty arms He saved Israel, but with the same arms He overthrow Pharaoh and his host in the sea. He has said, "My righteousness is near; My salvation is gone forth, and Mine arms shall judge the people." However, He did not stop there, praise His Name! "The isles shall wait upon Me, and on Mine arm shall they trust." Shall we not then seek, with confidence in Him who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever, to bring the unsaved into the shelter of "the everlasting arms," that they, as we, may find a sweet refuge in "the Eternal God?"