Friday, 27 April 2018

I am Secure. Deuteronomy 33:12

  "Of Benjamin he (Moses) said: 'The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders.'" NKJV
  "Moses said this about the tribe of Benjamin: 'The people of Benjamin are loved by the Lord and live in safety beside him. He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm." JCB

  I feel that sometimes the poetry of older Bible versions gets lost in newer translations. It's one of the reasons I like to use both older and newer. What leapt out for me this morning is the idea of dwelling between God's shoulders.

  Children love being set upon a grownup's shoulders, to become a giant among men. There's the thrill of danger as the little one finds themselves being scooped up and lifted as high as the moon. Squeals and giggles erupt from being so far off the ground with nothing to hang on to but a head. It's usually grabbed pretty hard in the beginning. Then the realization sets in that whoever has them on their shoulders keeps a pretty good grip on the legs dangling down in front.
  Getting settled onto this perch does come with a warning.
  "Don't lean back!"
   But once a child is up there...the view is dizzying compared to an impenetrable forest of anonymous legs, hands, packages, and purses. There's fear there, too, on the ground. The very real fear of getting lost in the crowd.
  Sometimes being put atop the Highest Place in the World comes with a Very Important Mission.
  "Do you see your Mom, your Aunt, or your brother, anywhere?"
  What an honour! To be given the gift of being able to see farther than any grownup ever could!

  God's shoulders never feel the strain. God's shoulders never tire. We never grow too big to be lifted up, giggling and squealing, so our weary souls can rest.
  He never, ever lets go.
 
  Even when we test His grip by leaning back.
 
 

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