I read this morning of something that I know, God is Great and God is Compassionate. Yet, even as I know it, I need to be reminded from time to time, if not daily.
“10Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
11He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.”
— Isaiah 40:10-11 (ESV)
Let me try and paint the picture of what I see in the above two verses, yes only two verses. Here is the LORD in all His might. Standing and fighting with one hand as His other is full. The other hand is holding the little ones to ensure that they are safe from the evil before Him. And as He fights, behind Him are the rest of His guarded as they escape. They are working their way through the small gap in the cliff that He is standing in front of fighting so they are free to go through.
I know, it seems like a scene from a movie where one man is fighting for the well being of his family. Yet, isn’t that what we are, His family. We are the adopted sons and daughters of the LORD. We are the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. We are worth it all thanks to the saving grace He has provided. The LORD gathers up those who are not innocent into His arms and protects them and stands in front of evil to protect the other. He is fighting evil for us, standing in front of the gate to ensure that we have safe passage.
God’s power and compassion are on display here. He is compassionate to all who are in need, even carrying those who need Him most. And yet all the while, He is fighting for our survival in this world until we can meet up in the next to celebrate His victory.
What does the LORD look like to you? Are you seeing him only as the powerful warrior running into battle? What if you saw Him as the one standing in battle gathering the sheep and protecting them as they escape, even carrying those who need Him most?
Trevor's Thoughts 