The Arm of the LORD

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

 Isaiah 53:1*

Some years ago a picture appeared on the sports page of the heavyweight boxing champion holding his newborn baby. What was impressive about this photo was the man’s arms – massive, muscular, clearly instruments of hurt. Yet with all the power they conveyed, they offered comfort and tenderness to the tiny infant cradled within them.

The Old Testament mentions both God’s “outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 26:8) and the “arm of His strength" (Isaiah 62:8). He can nurture and console as a compassionate father or fight as an invisible warrior. How the arm of the Lord is revealed solely depends on whether an individual is a member of the family or an enemy of God.

The gospel of John explains that Christ is the personification of this ancient title. He has the power and might to defeat the devil and all of His followers, yet He offers compassion to embrace, uphold, and heal. Only at Calvary when these lovely arms were stretched out in pain was the arm of the Lord most fully revealed – conquering sin and death and loving mankind all at the same time.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

                                                                                 Isaac Watts  (1674-1748)

*See also Isaiah 51:9, 62:8; John 12:38