Puny Arms

     "At least T-Rex had a massive set of teeth. What's your excuse for having such puny arms? I don't like push-ups." That's what that guy in the reflective glass said. They work fine, they just don't work out very often. There are always so many other things to do. I exercise, I just don't do arm workouts. I prefer purposeful exercise like walking the dogs or chopping wood. Taking good care of your body is important. So, I hope that I will take better care of my arms this year. Right now, though, they look pretty puny.

     In my defense, I intend to depend on God for defense. To be blunt, I think all Christians should espouse the saying, "we are lovers not fighters." (in the non-exclusively sexual sense). We are to turn to God to fight with us, which basically means fight for us. What happens when God fights your battles?  Well, God is described as fighting physically in the Bible, but not always the way we expect. God knows how to win in all battles. So, in the case of a really large battle with large forces like sin, death, evil, weakness actually proves to be stronger. 

     We all know Jesus didn't jump off of the cross and flex his arms, commanding the holy angels to draw their swords with a whistle. That would have made a lot of people happy. We should remember that. Many just like the excitement of the fight. In the case of Jesus, however, fighting against the Roman soldiers would not have been a real contest and would not have proven anything.

Psalm 35:1-10

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!

Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise up to help me!

Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life. Let them be turned back and confounded who devise evil against me.

Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them on.

Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life.

Let ruin come on them unawares. And let the net that they hid ensnare them; let them fall in it—to their ruin.

Then my soul shall rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his deliverance.

All my bones shall say, “O Lord, who is like you? You deliver the weak from those too strong for them, the weak and needy from those who despoil them.”

God, I pray for you to be with me this day, working your power and will against all that might undo your plan for me. I will likely need your guardrails against distraction. I will probably also need a good bit of your strength to make it through the day. My self-doubt will also be a problem. Please, also help me to be kind and caring to others. Take care of all those who are sick. While you are at it, we all could use more good news against the coronavirus. Dear Lord, give us strength in this battle. Help us to see your winning ways and trust in your wonder-working power. In Jesus's Name, we pray. Amen.