Heavenly Heavy Lifting

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
   who executes justice for the oppressed,
   who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
    the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners;
    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”

“The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts…
The Lord lifts up the humble.” Psalm 146:5-9; 147:2,6

“He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
    and on them he has set the world.” 1 Samuel 2:8

Strong and everlasting arms are capable of much heavy lifting. God Almighty’s righteous right hand is attached to an able arm that flows with blood pumping from His perfect heart. His passion for His people inaugurates actions that depict His constant love, gracious character, and infinite power. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 136:12; Isaiah 40:10; 41:10; 59:1,16; 63:5)

Indeed, He is mighty to save, and fortify, and lead, and supply! We muscle our way into the daily fray of work and duty, capable and enough, until we are not. A failure, detour, emergency, or any unexpected can upend our progress and arrest confidence. The trial is an opportunity to test the real heavy lifter, and fly to His arms. Scurrying only left and right, we can miss Him who waits on high. Sing the song! Trust His arm! Remember He made all things and upholds them still! He rules with perfection and power! He who has led thus far will not abandon His own, but lead us on! (1 Chronicles 28:20; Isaiah 45:12-13; 48:13; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:16-17)

Are we relying on our own strength, or the Lord’s? Where do we stubbornly, pridefully insist on doing our own heavy lifting? What situations at work or home need His correcting or smoothing intervention? What inner struggles or affections need His cleansing and reordering? What messy relationships need to be raised to a higher plane of forgiveness or reconciliation? What discontent and griping needs elevating to gratitude?

“Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep.” William Whiting (1860)

You uphold us in time of need
And love and comfort, calm and feed.
You turn our weeping to a song,
Your hand will right the darkest wrong.

You rule in hope for justice blessed
And peace on earth, eternal rest,
You lift the weary, tend the weak
And help us turn the other cheek.

When we know not which way to go,
Or how to fight against the foe
Your strong arm makes the tempest still,
Aligns us truly with Your will.

So help me trust Your scepter’s rule,
Your re-creator’s fashioning tool,
Lift my heart and like You make
All me and mine for Jesus’s sake. (PEB)

Lord, help me lean on and live out Your everlasting arms.