Lean Upon the Everlasting Arms

A Statue of a Man Who Leaned on the Lord

St. Francis of Assisi

Psalm 57:10 NIV

"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

My family in the Midwest have so far escaped the deadly tornadoes and floods that the spring season has delivered. None-the-less, these storms have been close enough they have spent many hours in their basements in Missouri.

In fact, my cousin photographed a funnel cloud drifting by her house much to the dismay of her daughter and husband huddling in the basement yelling for her to join them.

I have followed stories reported from many towns across the country impacted by the horrific weather this spring and have seen one common bond in all towns: people leaning upon others for support. 

As I witness these images of family and community support, I recall the old gospel hymn, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms". 

More than ever, family and friends in devastated communities need to rely not only on each other, but also on the Lord to rebuild their lives, homes, and neighborhoods.

And if you suffer today, I offer this old hymn as a reminder God is with you. Lean on Him as much as you can. He alone can transform your life.

Although Elisha A. Hoffman published these insightful words in 1887, I'll link the title to a 2010 version of the song to the movie, True Grit, sung tenderly by Iris DeMent. 

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

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Dear Lord, be with those who call upon you. Give them peace as they realize you are with them and they can lean their troubles upon you.