There are days when you just need to be held. When your resources run out and you cry to the Lord for help and strength. If you are experiencing a day like that I would encourage you to turn to Isaiah 46. It opens with a picture of weary animals carrying the heavy weight of false idols through the streets of Babylon. They stoop, they are bowed down and cannot save themselves from captivity.
We can feel weighed down and weary like those beasts of burden. There can be a lot on our minds and worries and fears weighing down our hearts.
But in a beautiful piece of poetry, the Psalmist takes us, like a child, up into the safe arms of God. He is the one who has given us birth and carried us from the womb. And now he takes us and rocks us in his arms of love as the rhythmic promises of the poem sway us gently with the lilting reassurance:
“I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save.”
My friend made the hand in the picture from plaster in a rubber glove. She painted it in a beautiful copper hue and placed a light in the palm. So simple and yet so effective. I look at it and picture myself held and protected by God’s wisdom and love. Even on a day when I don’t know the way forward for myself, or for this tortured world where war and lies and ruthless powers seem to have the upper hand, I trust in the One who has given me birth and life – who will carry and will save.
We have experienced the joy of Easter. We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song. That is the song of assurance by which I want to live my life. I need to frequently place myself and the concerns of my friends, family and the world in the care of the One whose purpose will stand and who will fulfil His intention.
“I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have planned, and I will do it.”
“Father God,
Whose Son promised us that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Please take our concerns and fears for ourselves, our loved ones our world. Rock us gently in your arms of love, protect and sustain us all and may your intentions be fulfilled in and through each one of us. We trust in your plans, we hope in your salvation.
Thank you for the tranquillity and peace of places of retreat such as Trefeca. Create such a safe place in our hearts; rest for our souls and peace of mind.
In the rhythms of our daily tasks, rock us gently to the heartbeat of your love,
And the steady pulse of your good intentions for our lives. Amen