“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” Deut. 33:12
Heavenly Father, I’ve never taken the time to let this image sink in, settle my heart, and take over. Why would we ever look for rest anywhere else? Why is it so difficult to believe you are this involved in our lives and struggles?
Because of Jesus’ finished work for us, I don’t doubt my “belovedness”—for he bore our sin and robed us in his righteousness. But day in and day out… hour to hour… mild “hiccup” to crisis… great day to hospital run… catching fish to burying a friend… I realize how easy it is to take you for granted—to think other of you than you are, and less of you than you deserve. You command our rest, and for good reasons.
“Resting between y our shoulders”—there’s two ways this is stunning, timely, and freeing to me, Abba. Sometimes I just need to be carried on your back—resting between your shoulders, not as a burden, but as your child. Thank you for not despising our weakness and weariness. You say to each of your daughters and sons: “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” (Isa.46:4).
And then there’s the perpetual, grace-full embrace we enjoy from you as your adopted children. “Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him” (Lk.15:20). To live in this embrace—your embrace, is to know what it means for us to be “in Christ.” Rest indeed, hallelujah, and So Very Amen.