The Strong Arm of God

Time Out For God

By Danna Appleby

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for

I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will

uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is. 41:10

Lately, as I look all around at this world of ours, there is so much to be alarmed about. You will probably agree with me that there are so many things to concern us especially in light of our fifth anniversary of 911. Not only are there issues which could compromise the freedom of our country and even fear of more war, but there are also family issues, work issues - and the list is endless of things we could be fearful about. But as fear tries to come and knock on my heart’s door, the Lord continually whispers ever so sweetly, “Do not fear.” A precious promise from Psalms also reassures me:

My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will

strengthen him. Ps. 89:21

During these stressful times, in my mind’s eye, I seem to visualize a massive arm coming out of the heavens. It may seem strange to you, but I imagine that strong arm over and over. Could it be that God wants me to realize that His arm is not too short to save me from every harmful situation? (Numbers 11:23) Could it be that He wants me to know that the hand that is connected to that strong arm is capable of holding me securely? Could He be saying, just trust me? I believe He is. I also believe He is reaching a hand down to save you from every harmful or stressful situation you’re going through, but you must trust God. In other words, “Do not fear!”

When I think about the Lord and how He has saved me, raised me, restored me, pulled me out of a pit of despair and healed my body countless times, why should I fear when He has done so much for me already? And, not only for me, but for my family. God has surely proved Himself over and over.

A rich heritage surrounds my family like a warm blanket. By “rich” I do not mean by financial means, but rich spiritually. My heritage comes packed with divine healings and how God protected my family with his strong arm throughout the years. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve all had our share of troubles, but the Lord brought us out of them all.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous:

but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Ps. 34:19 (KJV)

Some of us are going through troubles right now and we’re trusting in God to work a miracle, but we continually walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7) Hallelujah! I treasure the wonderful testimonies of some of my relatives and how God kept His hand on them. I want to share some of those testimonies with you to encourage you.

One testimony is about my Dad’s brother being protected by the hand of God when he was just a six-year-old. His family lived on a farm in Georgia where they raised cotton. One day he was in the cotton field where his father was planting, the horse his dad was plowing with got excited and started running. The horse saw the small boy and ran him down with two plows behind her and her four hooves came over him. He said either the plow or one of her hooves could have taken him out, but God did not allow it to happen and the little one came out with just a few scratches on his side. Years later, my uncle’s family traveled and ministered in song in churches all over the south. He has also written and published countless beautiful songs about heaven. God’s hand was indeed upon him.

My mother has told me many times the story she learned from her mother about the day she was born. Once she was delivered, the doctor laid her little body on a pillow and said he didn’t think she would make it because she was extremely small and completely blue. My mother said that God had other plans for her, though, and knew that one day she would work for Him, which is exactly what she devoted her life to doing. She vividly remembers at a very early age wanting to be a minister’s wife. Her dream came true when she met my father who was a minister and they began their life-long ministry together. She became a wonderful pastor’s wife and loved their flock wherever they were privileged to pastor. She said the road was hard and many times they barely made ends meet, but they trusted in God and He blessed them with many souls. God’s hand was indeed upon my mother.

Years ago, my aunt had a cancer that came up on her leg. Fear could have surrounded my aunt to cause her to forget the healing power of God that had always been her Source of help, but faith in God was her way of life. She was hindered by her affliction when it was time to go to church. On Sundays she would go to Sunday School and return to her home to clean and dress the wound so she could go back and enjoy the rest of the service. One day she said she was sitting at her kitchen table and was praying for God to heal her. She sensed the healing hand of God and knew that something wonderful was happening. She received the touch from the Master and she praised God for the victory and told of God’s healing power everywhere she went. God’s hand was indeed upon her.

There are many promises in God’s Word that are written to assure us that He will help us and hold us with His righteous right hand. The words above from Isaiah 41:10 were spoken by God Almighty through the Prophet Isaiah to comfort and assure the people of his time, but also assure us today. As for you and me, we can either live a life filled with fear and doubt or live a life believing the very promises of God. I chose to believe everything God’s Word says from Genesis to maps!

Many times I have cried out to my God to help me when I was in need. According to God’s Word, I believe He looked upon me as I prayed and said, “Because she loves me, I will rescue her; I will protect her for she acknowledges my name. She will call upon me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her. With long life I will satisfy her and show her my salvation.” (Ps. 91:14-16) Yes, our God considers every word we speak as we call to Him in prayer. He will come to help us in those times to assure us that we are protected under the shelter of the Most High. (Ps. 91:1)

When I reflect back on the times that God has come to the rescue to save my family, friends and me with His strong arm, I am in awe. I have learned to trust Him with every single trial and hardship. Sometimes we must go through the fire, but we can trust Him even when the flames are the hottest. Our faith is sorely tested at those times, but God sees whether or not we will trust Him or not.

Every mountain we go over, we learn what God is all about and how trustworthy He truly is as we hold His hand. We never have to fear because our God never lets us go. Sometimes life can take us over some pretty jagged rocks, but nevertheless, our Lord is holding our hand to guide us to safe pasture. When we hold His strong hand, He sees to it that we come through safely. We need not fear because He is holding us securely with His strong hand. It is God’s will for us to walk in victory and not a life filled with fear and doubt and total defeat. Trust Him and know that He is God. Recognize that the same One who did the miracles I have spoken to you about is the same God who will come to the rescue for you. When the enemy comes and tries to put fear on you, just stand strong and say:

But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power,

love and a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7 (KJV)

Prayer:

Father, I come humbly before you. I thank you that you are always with us and never let us go. You never leave us or forsake us. When we fall down You pick us up. Thank you for the times you’ve healed us and delivered us from every wicked scheme that the enemy sent our way. Thank you that you have not forsaken us then and you will not forsake us now. Come to help us again. Come to deliver us Father. Come Lord Jesus come. Take pity on your people who are in need of a Savior. Come to the rescue of your people who love you and need you. Restore the lives of those who have no one to help them. Pick up the broken pieces please Lord. Be with those who are living in fear every day of their lives. Be with those who have sons, daughters and loved ones fighting in the military and are fearful of what lies ahead for them. Comfort wounded and bruised hearts. Calm the shaken, the broken, the fearful. Assure them that you are a very real God and will be with them no matter the problem. Save the lost Father. Rescue the perishing. Encourage the hopeless. I give You the praise and glory forever and ever. Be with each one Father, in Jesus’ Name.

Walk in victory my friends and hold on to the strong arm of the Master.

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