The Song of Solomon 8:5, “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.”
My parents loved to watch the Andy Griffith Show. For me, some of the most memorable episodes were those where they played music and would sing. One particular episode that stands out in my mind was one where The Darling’s came to town. During the particular episode they sang and played, Leaning On The Everlasting Arms:
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the ev-er-last-ing arms;
What a blessed-ness, what a peace is mine, Lean-ing on the ev-er-last-ing arms
O how sweet to walk in this pil-grim way, Lean-ing on the ev-er-last-ing arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day, Lean-ing on the ev-er-last-ing arms
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Lean-ing on the ev-er-last-ing arms?
I have bless-ed peace with my Lord so near, Lean-ing on the ev-er-last-ing arms.
In our study verse, we find the Shulamite, leaning on her beloved. He was a great source of strength for her. She could depend on him when everything else failed. She could find peace, leaning against him, when the world was shaking around her.
In Deuteronomy 33:27, the Lord gives His children the assurance of Him being there when we need Him, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:…” What a precious verse of scripture. The Lord has been, and will always be, there for His precious little children. His arms, that we can depend on, are a strong foundation of which the depth of strength cannot be found. Eternal and everlasting are powerful words in the English language, and words that describe the strength of the Lord.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, are you troubled? Are you struggling to find strength to face the present evil world? Does your strength fail you when the troubles and burdens of this life press you sore? Praise God, we have One we can depend on to help in our times of need. Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He is there and we can continually lean on Him for strength. Hebrews 13:5, “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Amen!