Day 17: The Arms

“For the ARMS of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.” Psalm 37:17

In today’s society, what is a symbol of physical strength? Our arms, correct? Or more specifically our biceps. So when David starts speaking of the wicked in this verse, he immediately starts with addressing their arms. I believe this is because that is where the symbolism of the wicked’s strength lies … in their arms … in their human flesh.

David then goes on to share what happens to the arms of the wicked … they will be broken. Do they break themselves? I do not believe so. I believe that they are broken by the Lord Himself. If you have ever broken or injured one of your arms, you find out really quick how important that arm is. It not only holds the strength of your body, but it also plays a major role in the functioning or capabilities of your body. Am I not correct? What are some of those important functions of the arms?

1)  To support the weak — Romans 15:1 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” There have been many a time when I have been weak physically that I longed for someone to come along and take care of me. I felt too weak to do what I needed to do. There were even times when in my weakness, I did not even know what I needed to do to get out of it. Often my mind was too foggy to make heads or tails out of life in   general. How many others around us are physically or spiritually weak and could use our arm to support them?

2)  To work (labor) — I Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of the his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” God intended for man to take care of and provide for his family by working with his hands. If he fails to do so, what does the Bible call him? An infidel. What does an infidel mean? Basically, he is a traitor. He is a heretic. He has chosen his own path and it is not a good one.

3)  To protect the young — Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” I know in this world today we are seeing more and more parents who neglect their children to satisfy their own flesh and their own desires. But, God made parents to take care of and protect their young ones.

How precious is it for us also to care for the young ones of others. How many mothers and fathers have been alone in fighting the devil over their children? As a parent, I loved to see other Christian adults love my child and pray for my child. Ones who I knew would have my child’s back if I was not there. Ones who my child was comfortable enough to trust.

4)  Lastly, to stand in the gap — Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” God is looking for men and women who will stand firm on the truth of God’s Word. Ones who will make up a hedge of truth and right. God will uphold our arms … if we use them for righteousness! What is your choice today?