November 19

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’ — Deut 33:27 BSB

The “everlasting arms” of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the divine Jehovah, are underneath each of His people. And since these arms are beneath them, they cannot fall through them or out of them. Instead, they are supported, carried, and sustained by them until they reach the eternal joy of being with the Three-in-One God. If these “everlasting arms” were not underneath us, our hearts, so deceitful and desperately wicked, the devil’s devious traps, and the countless dangers around us would cause us to perish without fail.

But what we need is to feel these arms underneath us. The doctrine that God’s everlasting arms are supporting His people is not enough if we feel like we are sinking into the depths. If we feel ourselves sinking, sinking, sinking, and sometimes fear that we will sink into hell, the mere doctrine of the “everlasting arms” will not bring comfort. We need to feel them, to rest upon them, and to experience the support they provide.

Just like a baby feels safe in its mother’s arms, so long as it can feel the arms holding it. If the mother pulls away, the baby becomes fearful and cries out. But as long as it feels the security of its mother’s arms, it rests peacefully. Similarly, living souls need to feel the “everlasting arms” supporting them. Without that sense of security, they cannot find rest in the mere knowledge that God upholds the Church. However, when they feel that support, especially during times of trouble, affliction, or temptation, they can rest calmly and securely in the everlasting arms.