In Your Arms
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
When I was a teenager, a man leading our Sunday school lesson told us about a message that many of you have probably read over the years. The author describes two sets of footprints in the sand progressing along the shore but only one set during the roughest times in life. As the message continues, the author questions God, “why did you abandon me during my darkest times?” God’s response is, “I didn’t abandon you. I was carrying you.”
Decades later I remember this not just because of the beauty of this lesson but because of the emotion of the man who shared it. It was not a sentimental wish or a lesson for children. It was a reality for him because you could tell he had experienced it and felt the truth of it.
When we go about living our lives and everything is typical, there is so much noise and distraction we don’t always stop to listen and experience God by our side.
When things go wrong and we are crushed in spirit by the hardest events in our lives, we might feel we are experiencing silence. Our family and friends may not call, or we may not answer the phone. We may feel abandoned and lonely. But what if the silence is actually the calm? What if that sense of loneliness is a call to focus and be with God, to embrace and be embraced?
This does not mean that we are not crushed in spirit. I do not mean to say that we will not be lonely or sad in these moments. In fact, we may be crying, hurt, and brokenhearted. But let us pause to listen for the footsteps of God. Let us rest our souls in the arms of God as he carries us wounded as we are. Let us look for where God leads us and how we may heal. Let us dry our tears on the hem of the garments of Jesus and be healed. Slowly. Together. As one.
Let us pray together.
Lord, when I am weak, you are strong. May I rest in your arms and share in your strength. Please give me the strength and the foresight to know that you are with me—always. Amen.
This devotion was written by Jill Pope and read by Sally Stovall.
Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.
If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.
First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.
