Thoughts for weary hearts

The end of lockdown has not been the panacea that most of us had hoped for.

We’ve emerged to find the world irrevocably changed – politically, financially and culturally. The need to be ‘salt and light’, to speak God’s truth and show His love has never been greater. But what does the Bible say to our weary hearts?

In Deuteronomy 33 the Israelites were also poised to enter a brand-new world. In the Promised Land they knew they would face fierce battles and the temptation to assimilate with the Canaanites; all without the support of their beloved leader Moses. So, what last words of comfort and hope did Moses offer?

This final blessing on each of the individual tribes of Israel was reminiscent of Jacob’s blessing on his sons. It was a visual reminder to the Israelites of their rich heritage. They were at the end of a long line of people who had experienced God’s faithfulness and generosity. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was their God, a God who would go with them into an unknown future.

The chapter concludes with the undisputed declaration: ‘There is no one like the God of Jeshurun [Israel]’ (v.26). Why is our God incomparable? The chapter is framed with the description of a majestic God who came to meet His people in the desert at Sinai (v.2) and will ‘ride across the heavens’ (v.26) to help them when they are in Canaan. This same God, in the person of Christ, came to dwell among us, and in the person of the Holy Spirit comes even closer. God is not distant but always near; our source of strength, security, and peace: ‘The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms’ (v.27).

Everlasting arms

What a powerful encouragement for the Israelites going into unknown territory. God was ever-present to sustain them. Those same everlasting arms were stretched out on the cross to save us and they are still outstretched today. We are never beyond His reach. However weak we feel, no matter how many times we stumble or how low we stoop under the weight of trials, God’s everlasting arms encircle us and keep us from falling. He gives us strength for each day. Even in death we have the certain promise that though we go down to the grave His everlasting arms will prevent us descending any further.

The Israelites cross into Canaan confident that God would grant them victory and all the resources they needed (vv.27-28). With such a great God, Moses concludes: ‘Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword’ (v.29). Because God was unique, the Israelites were too. ‘No-one is like them because no one is like him’ (Raymond Brown). And the same can be said of us. We are privileged – we’ve been redeemed by the Lord and He is with us; our ever-present help and eternal refuge. We too are at the end of a very long line of believers who have proved God’s generosity and faithfulness. While the way ahead may be unknown, our God is not. Today we can have certainty and hope, hearts revived and full of joy, because we have a matchless God and that alone means we are truly ‘blessed’ (v.29).