“Be our Arm Every Morning”

“O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
    Be our arm every morning,
    our salvation in the time of trouble.
At the tumultuous noise peoples flee..,
and your spoil is gathered as the caterpillar gathers;
    as locusts leap, it is leapt upon.

“The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
    abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:2-3a,4-6

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.'” Numbers 11:23

“The eternal God is your dwelling place,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
    and said, ‘Destroy.’” Deuteronomy 33:27

“‘With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 32:8

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
    or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1

The prophet’s cry is a sincere, earnest prayer expressing legitimate need and patient dependence. He is God’s servant, on specific mission, and desires the arm of his Sovereign to take up their cause and go before him. Every morning. (Isaiah 6:1-9)

Any anthropomorphication of the infinite Spirit God seems a reduction of His power and divinity, yet the scriptures are replete with such descriptions in order to relate to finite man. The Word is God’s revelation to us, so the Word in the flesh meets us in ways we comprehend, and desperately need. The Lord intends that we interact and commune with Him to the full extent of our capable, yet limited, understanding. He is ready to supply.

Arms hold, arms uphold. Arms protect and fight and slay, arms embrace and comfort. Arms manipulate, work hard, carry, share, and pour forth bounty. Arms raise high to heaven, open wide in welcome, reach out in compassion, and stretch forward to clear the way.  Be our arm every morning!

Where do we need the Lord’s strong arm this day? Are we facing uncertainty and need His guidance and steady hand? Do we need particular wisdom for a decision, or strength to slay enemies of shame or temptation? Is there deep sorrow that longs for the balm of His embrace? What weak resolve or wavering faith cries for support and undergirding? His arm is here! Every morning His mercies are new and His arm is strong. Trust His stability and salvation! (Lamentations 3:22-23)

“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.

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.

Leaning, leaning, 
safe and secure from all alarms; 
leaning, leaning, 
leaning on the everlasting arms.” E. A. Hoffman (1887)

Lord, keep me looking to and leaning on Your arm, every day, to Your praise.