SAFE IN HIS ARMS

SAFE IN HIS ARMS

As I am writing this it is the morning of July 4, Independence Day, as we remember the blessings of freedom here in this land of America.  And I ask myself what am I feeling today?  What does the Lord want me to share with you that would bless and encourage you this day?  Many, today, in spite of picnics, fireworks and celebrations are deep in pain and discouragement.  The battle rages around them, and there is seemingly no answer.

 I myself, feel that I am in a battle right now with a physical problem which is taking my nights at times.  But those times during those hours often turn into times of praise and worship to my Precious Lord, and often He will bring to my mind reminders of those who need a touch from Him at that very moment.  There are those who are in grief over a lost loved one, one who left this life too soon.  She loved the Lord and we know that she is “safe in His arms.”  Another precious saint is taking her last breaths at this moment, and I expect a call soon that she too is “safe in His arms.”

Fanny Crosby wrote around 8,000 hymns, and many are familiar to us and we sing them in praise to our God.  “There are few people who have not been instantly moved, many to tears, by the tender, graceful stanzas of “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”  I think it would be impossible to express in better words than Fanny Crosby’s the rest of the soul that trusts in Jesus.  Mother live is exquisitely gentle, but is stronger than death.  Sound doctrine is undoubtedly a rampart and a refuge for the harassed soul.  But a soul needs mothering as well as safety, not only the babes, but those of riper years.  This is well expressed by Isaiah 46:4: “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

“The hymn was written in remarkable circumstances.  Dr. W.H. Doane, a distinguished composer of sacred music, called on the blind poetess one day, and said, “I am in a hurry.  I have a tune to which I want appropriate words.”  He went to the piano and played the music.  Several times he played it, while Fanny Crosby listened intently.  She retired to another room, and in about half an hour came back with the now well-known words, and said “they seemed to come to me without any effort.”  It only required Mr. Sankey to sing the lovely words at his meetings, and they went round the world to comfort and save unnumbered souls, and their mission is not yet finished.” (author unknown).

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, there by His love o’er shaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.  Hark!  ‘Tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me, over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

CHORUS:  Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, there by His love o’er-shaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care, safe from the world’s temptations sin cannot harm me there.   Free from the blight of sorrow, free from its doubts and fears, only a few more trials, only a few more tears.

CHORUS –

Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge, Jesus has died for me, firm on the rock of ages ever my trust shall be.  Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is o’er, wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.  (Fanny Crosby).

Oh, my friends, in this hour we need to be reminded of God’s comfort and our blessed hope in Jesus.  I am thinking of the young lady who recently went home to Jesus, and this song was such a comfort to her mother, knowing that her daughter was indeed “safe at last in the arms of Jesus.”  She had just recently come to know Jesus as her Savior, and had traveled a hard road in her life.  But in the end, due to her Mother’s fervent prayers, she found her safety in Jesus.  What a testimony her passing was to all who came to share with her mother and hear the amazing testimony of God’s salvation.

Where are you today, my friend?  Are you “safe in the arms of Jesus?”  We never know what a day will hold, eternity could call and would you be ready?  And oh, the comfort of His arms!  And the absolute assurance that He has prepared a place, a home in His heaven, and we can’t even begin to describe the glory that awaits each one of His children.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27.

Not only are we safe in His arms at death, but we are safe from all those temptations that come, and we are safe in those trials and even the ones that seemingly come in the night hours.  He is there.  He is there in our deep times of grief, our doubts and our fears.  And as the song promises, “only a few more trials, only a few more tears” and our journey will be complete.  We, in our senior years, especially see the road ahead getting shorter, and there seems to be a glow ahead over the hills beyond.  Yes, we have our struggles, but we journey on with the goal in sight just ahead.

“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love” I Corinthians 2:9.

So stand firm on the Rock, Christ Jesus.  And He tells us to wait with patience until this night is over and we see that day come at last.  And we all will be gathered there on that shore, Oh  Praise the Lord!  I said my goodbyes to my precious friend the other day, and told her I would meet her around the throne, and know that that day will come soon in all its glory. 

“He who testifies to things things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen.  Even so, come Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen. “ Revelation 22:20

Pastor Sharon