Carried

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
    all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
    carried from the womb;
even to your old age I am he,
    and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
    I will carry and will save.” Isaiah 46:3-4

“I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” Exodus 19:4

“You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:5-10

“Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Christ Jesus… is at the right hand of God, [and] indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

God’s carrying of His children was as lasting as He- from the beginning and forever. From before conception they were borne in His thoughts and design, then into this world and through days and years, constantly in His prayers and keeping, secure with Him forever. The constancy gives confidence and security and is cause for unending thanksgiving.

In a culture of independence and self-sufficiency, we might want to shrug off the idea of being carried. After all, we like to craft our plans and order life as we please. We insist on carrying our own load, and feel a bit smug about doing so. We prefer to dictate, manage, control, and manipulate, though when results are unsatisfactory we are quick to cast blame elsewhere.

The Lord invites us into a new way of knowing Him and His manner with us. He reminds us that His keeping all our days until now He pledges to continue as we entrust ourselves to His strong arms. His way protects and provides, yielding assurance, security, and confidence. Will we resist His hold and leading, or be glad to be borne in His care and keeping?

What comfort does knowing we’re borne on the Almighty’s wings give for each night, and what freedom and joy for each new morning? What broader vision for life and ministry can we gain being carried on high by the eternal God? What new confidence and boldness can we derive from being upheld incessantly in prayer? How can we more intimately enjoy this Savior, and minister in His name, power, and wisdom? Whom can we tell about His abiding care and keeping? How will we encourage the faint of heart, the new believer, the timid, that the God who is from everlasting holds them in His everlasting arms? (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Lord, may I ever welcome and trust and praise You that You carry and save, forever.