A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

Deuteronomy 33:27, “Underneath are the everlasting arms.”  Dennis Fisher in Our Daily Bread once related how that on “August 27, 1960, U.S. Air Force Captain Joseph Kittinger, Jr. sat in a gondola suspended from a high-altitude balloon.  When the balloon reached 102,800 feet above the surface of the earth (more than 19 miles), Kittinger jumped out.  Four minutes and 36 seconds later his main parachute opened at 18,000 feet, but not before he had attained a velocity of 614 miles per hour.  Kittinger carefully planned his record-setting descent.  In the spiritual realm, we’re more likely to find that life is filled with unexpected free falls.  The loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, a terminated job, can make us feel as if we’re dropping into the unknown.  For believers, there is a spiritual parachute—the loving arms of God.  Thousands of years ago, Moses wrote these words to the Israelites just before he died:  ‘The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.’  The words ‘everlasting arms’ refer to the protection and preservation of God’s people.  Despite the stressful circumstances they would surely face, they could rest in the assurance of God’s watchful care.”  There are times that the dizzying height of adversity seemingly pushes us far above the altitudes of control.  There is nothing quite as unsettling as the feeling of not being in control of our lives.  Then, there is the free fall—the helpless state of being at the mercy of the gravity that pulls you down—faster and faster, until it seems there is no end, but at the same time, one’s demise is imminent.  What must one do?  First realize that when you are out of control, God is still in control.  Second realize that when we feel totally abandoned, those are the times we must fully trust in the providence of God.  Third, fully realize, that waiting for you, to safely and securely catch you, are the “everlasting arms of God.”  Fisher concludes:  “With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you.”  Bringing you in for a safe landing with this new day.