The Divine Embrace—Two2Grow, Wednesday, October 14

“You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me.” Psalm 139:5 CSB

When we go through hard times in life, a sense of vulnerability and loneliness often comes with them. Those are the moments when God wants His love to become even more real to us, to the point where we feel encircled, surrounded, yes, embraced by God’s loving presence.

I have experienced the divine embrace many times in moments of great need. There is nothing so wonderful as simply letting the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit surround you. All anxiety just melts away, burdens fall off, and God’s sweet peace floods your being. You know that God has you, that He is never going to let you go, and that no matter what lies ahead, it is going to be all right because you are with God and God is with you.

I encourage you to take a moment, close your eyes, and focus on the Lord. Let His loving arms just pick you up and embrace you. As in Rembrandt’s famous painting of the father embracing the prodigal son, there is no fear of rejection or judgment. There is only faith, hope, and love.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, let me experience Your embrace right now. Amen.

Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD