Upon His Shoulders
She tip-toed. She stretched. She sighed as she dropped her arms to her sides. She just could not reach the heavy box of baby formula on the top shelf. “Well Chris,” she said to the little three year old sitting in her shopping cart, “I just can’t reach it. We will have to get someone to help us. It’s just too high for Grandma.”
After a few moments of pondering on this predicament, Chris’ eyes lit up. He had a brilliant idea! Calling to his mother across the aisle he yelled, “Hey Mom! Grandma can’t reach the box. Come on over and get on Grandma’s shoulders – then she can get it!”
CONSIDER how this would have been one way of getting the box down. But from the look on Grandma’s face, I don’t believe that was a way that Mom & Grandma were going to try.
Hearing that, I thought how throughout our life, we are continually presented with obstacles: things too high, too hard, too complicated, too troublesome and too difficult. Along with the obstacles come many possible solutions. Some we think of, some others come up with. Some work, others do not. The thought in all of this is: it’s important to remember to not forget about God as we come upon obstacles in life. In most situations, obstacles are best overcome when we are securely positioned on His shoulders.
In Handel’s “Messiah” these words from Isaiah are put to beautiful music: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders, and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting father, Prince of Peace.”
Yes, this is the one who can bear upon his shoulders a government, even a universe, will certainly be able to bear us up to overcome any obstacle we might face.
“If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:9-12)
Wendell Mettey
August 1988
Revised 3-7-2013
