[In Hebrew, the word "shakan" means rest, to dwell, to settle down, to abide, to set in place.]
Moses knows that the Israelites will go through many battles with the enemy throughout their lives. So he exhorts them to rest in God. Jesus tells us the same thing in John 15:4- 11. We are to be super glued to Him! We are to be grafted into the vine. He says to be glued to His Word and to His love, “For apart from Him, we can do nothing” (John 15:5). As we do this, we will experience His love and joy.
Let’s go back to Deuteronomy 33:12 and fix our eyes on the beautiful word pictures Moses gives us.
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest (shakan) secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests (shakan) between His shoulders.”
As we rest in the Lord, He will shield us 24/7. Nothing gets through the impenetrable shield of God (see Ephesians 6:16). In Deuteronomy 33:14, Moses gives us a picture of resting between God’s shoulders. Observe what the Lord says about the ones who are resting. He says they are “the beloved of the Lord, the one the Lord loves.” That is us! God’s children. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).
My husband and I raised our two children near the beach. When they were young, we would take them to swim in the ocean. They loved it when we would put them on our shoulders and walk out into deeper waters. When the waves would come crashing down, they would squeal in delight (only getting their legs wet) while Mom and Dad got pounded by the waves! God wants to lift you up on His shoulders. Abide and rest in Him. Let Him absorb the pounding waves of the enemy. Then squeal in delight over His love and protection.
Sisters and brothers, God loves you very much. He wants you to rest in Him. Stay “super-glued” to God! When you feel the enemy attack you with fear, raise up your arms and shout “Shakan!” Yes, rest in the Lord. Let Him be the One to flood you with peace. Let Him be the One to place you upon His shoulders. Let Him be the One to fight the battles. And don’t forget to pray this beautiful prayer of Moses for others: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).
Today’s Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33:12, 14 and John 15:4-11
A Moment to reflect:
Is there a "wave" in your life crashing down on you right now?
How do you think the Lord is inviting you to trust Him with this battle? Are you willing to allow Him to lift you up on His shoulders? Is there anything hindering you from surrendering to Him in this way?
Spend some time praying through John 15:4-11. What would it look like to practically abide in Jesus today?
By Sue Corl - an excerpt from For Such A Time As This: Walking Through Crisis
*A moment to reflect is added for this post.
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