Arms of Love

Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)

 The eternal God is your refuge,
   and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
   saying, ‘Destroy them!’

My friend’s daughter serves in the U.S. Military, stationed in Iraq; she tends to the wounded in the wind-blown tents of uncertainty. Her two sons also serve in active combat duty, somewhere in the Afghan wilderness—three children in harm’s way.  My friend shared her news with me that her daughter and son-in-law received leave and planned on traveling from Texas, their base,  to California. Excited to reunite with her family, my friend still holds the same concern for this journey as well; not quite relaxing until her daughter’s physical presence arrives and she can wrap her arms around her. A woman of great strength and obvious sacrifice, she trusts God for her children’s protection. 

Our Heavenly Father cares for us in the same way; as His children. In the battlefields surrounded by enemy fire in a far off land or the familiar surroundings of home or work, God is ever near. He longs to keep us close, share in our journeys, rejoice in our homecoming and hold us safe in His arms. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your protection from the enemy and for the prayer warriors in my life who trust You to intercede for me and many others. Your arms stretched out across a wooden cross, and now reach down and embrace me each day. 




In memory of my friend, Debbie Wilson, whose life story inspired this devotional. God Bless America and the Wilson family. 

Veteran’s Day Prayer

Dear Lord,
Today we honor our veterans,
worthy men and women
who gave their best
when they were called upon
to serve and protect their country.
We pray that you will bless them, Lord,
for their unselfish service
in the continual struggle
to preserve our freedoms, our safety,
and our country’s heritage, for all of us.
Bless them abundantly
for the hardships they faced,
for the sacrifices they made
for their many different contributions
to America’s victories
over tyranny and oppression.
We respect them, we thank them,
we honor them, we are proud of them,
and we pray that you will watch over
these special people
and bless them with peace and happiness.
In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.

                           By Joann Fuchs