Safe in the Arms of Jesus

BY Guest Writer

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 41:8-10, Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew 23:37-39, Mark 10:13-16

I once heard a story of a momma hen found in the rubble of a burned down chicken coop. The hen didn’t survive the fire, but tucked up under her breast, the farmer found her brood of tiny chicks, safely sheltered by their momma’s wings.

This tender image has stayed with me over the years. I think of it when I drop my children off at school and a familiar pang of fear strikes my chest. It comes to mind when I watch the news in horror. I’m reminded of it when a devastating medical diagnosis hits too close to home, and I can no longer deny that we are broken people living in broken bodies in a broken world.

Our bodies are broken, resulting in sickness that ranges from inconvenient to terminal. Our hearts are broken, leaving us hurting and hungry for relief. Our culture is broken and no political system can fix the chasm. We don’t have to look far to realize all over again, that there is much to fear. No amount of nail biting or floor pacing can change that.  

When the world around me feels ablaze, I’m so grateful the Word reminds me that I am tucked safely under the wings of my Savior; there is room for everyone I love to find shelter here too. And we can stake a claim and raise a banner over these bedrock truths found in His Word:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
– Psalm 46:1,7

We see suffering and beg God to be with those who are hurting. But lean in and listen closely: Every page of His Word declares, “I’m already right here!” We don’t have the promise that our fears are unfounded or that suffering won’t come, but the safest space we can run to is the presence of Jesus. He wants to gather us like a hen gathers her brood (Matthew 23:37), to tuck us in and shelter us as the storm of sin passes over this dying world.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
safe on His gentle breast,
there by His love o’ershaded,
sweetly my soul shall rest.

Fanny Crosby, the author of this hymn, surely knew a thing or two about fear and suffering. Blind since infancy, she must have faced more than her fair share of fiery trials. And yet, in addition to penning more than 5,000 hymns declaring the sufficiency of God, she is known to have uttered these faith-filled words:

“Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind?…  Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.”

Fanny spent her life in the dark, but never alone. In this life she was tucked under the wings of her Savior, knowing that in the next all fear and hurt would fade away. Oh, we are safe in the arms of Jesus, friends. Safe on His gentle breast. In His presence we’re overshadowed by love. So sweetly, our souls can rest.  

Safe in the Arms of Jesus
Text: Fanny Crosby, 1868

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
safe on His gentle breast,
there by His love o’ershaded,
sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels
borne in a song to me.
Over the fields of glory,
over the jasper sea.

Refrain:
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
safe on His gentle breast,
there by His love o’ershaded,
sweetly my soul shall rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
safe from corroding care,
safe from the world’s temptations,
sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow,
free from my doubts and fears;
only a few more trials,
only a few more tears!    Refrain

Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
firm on the Rock of Ages,
ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience,
wait till the night is o’er;
wait till I see the morning
break on the golden shore.    Refrain

Erin Davis is an author, blogger, and speaker who loves to see women of all ages run to the deep well of God’s Word. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.