“God, the eternal God, is our support at all times, especially when we are sinking into deep trouble. there are seasons when we sink quite low . . . Dear child of God, even when you are at your lowest, underneath are the everlasting arms.” – Charles Spurgeon
I don’t know that there is a more amazing picture of comfort for the child of God than the picture of being supported by the arms of Jesus. It is not uncommon for us to see on TV or in person a sports figure get injured in the course of play. Often when this occurs the medical staff and coaching staff come out to check on the player. If the player is able to leave the field with assistance you will often see them supported on either side by the arms of teammates or coaches. Others providing the strength that is missing from the injured player.
In our lives we often find ourselves without the strength necessary to go from day-to-day. The injuries suffered because of the tribulations of this life are immense and draining. When we find ourselves in that place though, often we receive strength from elsewhere that allows us to continue to move. Call it what you may, but in my mind it is the strength of our Savior placing his arms beneath us and supporting us as we journey on.
It is this picture that is the message of our hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, for this week.
The basis for this hymn came from Anthony Showalter. Showalter was the principal of the Southern Normal Musical Institute in Dalton, Georgia. He published over 130 music books with over 2 million in sales. He would also become known for the singing schools that he hosted and taught at throughout the South.
Showalter made it a habit to keep up with his students after they had attended his schools. One evening when Showalter returned to his temporary quarters he found letters from two former students. Each of these students was mourning the loss of their wife and their roles as young widowers. In response Showalter began writing them back and looking for words of comfort. He eventually would select these words from Deuteronomy.
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Showalter completed the letters of comfort and strength to his former students and then reached for paper to start another letter. He wrote to his friend and hymn writer Elisha Hoffman. He told him that he had a great idea for a hymn based on this verse but was struggling to come up with verses to complement the chorus. Hoffman wrote three verses for the hymn and sent it back to Showalter. Showalter set the song to music, and it is the encouraging hymn that we still sing today.
“Oh how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way”
As we study the scriptures and then compare the standards set forth against the ways of this world we are reminded more each day that we are not meant to be in this land permanently. This is a foreign land that we are merely traveling through in order to reach our true homeland, heaven and immortal glory. Often the things of this life can seem overwhelming and can burden the heart and soul tremendously. The pilgrimage can begin to seem like it is too much. In those moments how sweet it is to feel the arms of Jesus giving us strength. There is such a peace and comfort that comes from knowing that our Savior is near even when this world pulls us so far away. Let us always be thankful that even while walking in a foreign land our Lord does not stray from us.
Blessings to you all!
(Source: Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert J. Morgan)
Thoughts and Meditations of Elder J.W. Cunningham 