Shortest Distance

Years ago, my high school daughter went with a group of classmates for a two-week culture experience in Japan. That's a 9-hour flight over nothing but water. Not even a year had passed since the 9-11 attack. It was prior to our current cell phone glut. It meant leaving her care to two teachers I hardly knew personally AND to a Japanese family I'd never met or spoken with. Talk about my arm being too short!

During her visit, there were sight-seeing and shopping trips. Some with her group and some with her Japanese host family. There were train rides. I'd seen news photos and stories about those trains. AND there was a typhoon with coastal evacuations. Again, my arm was no where long enough.

 

Thank the Lord that His arm is never too short.

 

His word to me was and is, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear." Isaiah 59:1

 

Praying moms, this is so often our experience with our children. They spend a good portion of their days at school. And, then, as they become adults, they take flight from our "nest."

 

But, whether our children are far or near, our arms' reach always has limits. The good thing is that through prayer distance doesn't matter because God's arm of power has never been and will never be limited.

 

When Moses questioned God's ability, the Lord emphatically asked His own question, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?" Numbers 11:23

 

That's the question that needs to echo in our minds when we begin to entertain anxious thoughts about our children. We can answer emphatically, in the same manner as the Lord, "NO!"

 

Matthew Henry commented on Numbers 11:23, "Had [God's] power abated? Was God weaker than He used to be? Or was He tired with what He had done? Whatever our unbelieving hearts may suggest to the contrary, it is certain, that God’s hand is not short; His power cannot be restrained in the exerting of itself by anything but His own will; with Him nothing is impossible. That hand is not short which measures the waters, metes out the heavens, Isaiah 40:12, and grasps the winds, Proverbs 30:4.  That it has not waxed short. He is as strong as ever He was, fainteth not, neither is weary. And this is sufficient to silence all our distrusts when means fail us…"

 

So, when worry comes about your children, remind yourself of Who your God is. And, remember—God's power can never be restrained by anything but His own will. As you pray according to His will, using His Word, He will reveal to you that His arm has not been shortened.

 

"The shortest distance between two people is prayer."

Mark Driscoll