Watch any Koreanovela Series, and soon you will see a familiar scene — a person carrying another on his or her back. Such is not just for parents and children. but even for spouses, lovers, among friends and colleagues, and even randomly when someone needs help. More than a sign of care and concern, piggyback carry is one of the recognized emergency carrying techniques that will help transport patients in need. It is an efficient and safe way to get someone to safety.
As followers of Jesus, we can be sure that in times of spiritual weariness, and even physical weakness, we can be carried through. Our merciful Heavenly Father promises to be with us amidst the hardships and challenges we will face.
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them;
In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9
In one of His prophecies of deliverance of the Israelites from its enemies, the Prophet Isaiah reminded the whole nation about the faithfulness of the Lord in delivering them, since day one.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4
And we know that God’s faithfulness remains even to this present day. If we will only look back on the many times God helped us through our troubles even though we are unfaithful to Him. If we could remember the many times we pleaded with Him and He heard our cries, and came up with an even better solution to our issues.
When we shift our focus from our problems and on to the many times He has helped us in the past, we will realize that He bears us up in our weakest, and helps us endure.
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.” Deuteronomy 32:11
As a mother, I always hold on to His promise that He will help me raise the children He has entrusted to me. That no matter what happens, we are in His loving care, cradled in His loving embrace and protection.
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” Isaiah 40:11
So what does this mean to us? Well, it certainly means that as we surrender our lives to Jesus, we can count on His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. That He will not just carry our burdens, He will carry even us when we are too weary to go on and move further.
And while a life fully surrendered to the Lord is never exempted from problems, we can count on our God to stand with us through the fire, to be with us amidst the gigantic waves.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Now if we are having trouble getting through the week, or find ourselves feeling hopeless and in despair, why don’t we strengthen ourselves in the Lord by reading, rereading, reflecting and claiming the above promises? His good and faithful promises to carry us through, love us, protect us, and deliver us through our weakest, and shine light to us in our darkest.
“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 23 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you feel lonely and in despair? Which of the above-mentioned promises can you claim and reflect on?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for always being with us and promising to carry us through our troubles. Give me the full confidence to trust in your divine plans, and the faith to not lose heart amidst difficult circumstances. Amen.
