One of the ways God shows His love toward us is found in Deuteronomy 1:31, “And in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.” God shows His love toward us in that He carries us.
To give a little background on this verse, the children of Israel had arrived at the Promised Land. God, through Moses, tells them to go in and possess the land. Ten scouts were sent in to spy out the land and they came back with a report. All but two of them allowed their fear and rebellion against the Lord to influence them, and they told the people that it was too hard, the people were giants, the cities were fortified with tall walls…on and on, giving excuses as to why they couldn’t go in and take the land. Only two came back with a good report, telling the people it wasn’t something they couldn’t do, but encouraging the people to go in and take the land as God had said. Moses reminded the people that God was with them, He had been with them the entire journey from Egypt, and He wasn’t about to abandon them now. Moses tells the people that “The Lord your God carried you” all through the wilderness. But the people let their rebellion win out and refused to go in. They spent the next 40 years wandering in the wilderness until that rebellious generation had all died off. God lovingly carried them through all of that despite their rebellion.
Have you ever watched a father carry his child? That child is precious to him, and lovingly holds that child so that it is safe. I remember as a little girl, my Dad carrying me on his shoulders, he made sure he had a tight grip on me so that I wouldn’t fall off. God holds us like that, with a firm hold on us so that we are safe. It makes no difference what it is we are experiencing in life; His love carries us through every situation. When we are going through mountain top experiences, He is there holding us, when we are in the valley, He is there carrying us when we feel like we can’t take another step. His love for us keeps Him right by our side.
God promises that He will hold us in Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you, Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (NASB) Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” (ESV) His love for us causes Him to protect us, guide us, and carry us through life.
I find that reassuring. God knows my every step because He is right beside me, and when I stumble, He holds me so that I won’t fall. He walks this pathway of life with us and we have no need to fear or wonder where He is. He has a tight grip on us, and He keeps us safe from the attacks of the enemy, from the things that life throws at us, and even sometimes from ourselves. Like the children of Israel, we can be our own worst enemy. But He loves us even when we are rebellious, and He keeps His Hand on us. So, remember today, God’s love for you is carrying you. Be encouraged.
donnasmusings 