Wisdom's Corner
Leaning on Your Father

I can remember when I was a llttle boy. There were times when I just liked to crawl up in my mother's or father's lap and lean on their shoulder. With my ear on their chest I could sometimes hear their heart beating. I felt so safe and warm and comfortable sitting there with their arms around me. It was especially good if I was there because of being afraid of something. Many times I would go to sleep in one of their laps. I wouldn't know anything else until I awoke the next morning.

Of course, as I got older I realized that many of the things I had been scared of really weren't things I needed to be scared of. But I never forget being able to crawl up in my parents' laps and lean on them.

Sometimes things happen in my life today that make me wish I could crawl up in one of my parents' laps. I wish I could go back in time and lean on their chests. You see, sometimes even adults get scared. Or things seem so bad we wish we had someone we could lean on and have their arms around us.

The Bible indicates that even the Apostle Paul had a time like this. But God told him not to be afraid because He was with him. You can read about that in Acts 18:4-11. Paul then stayed and preached in this place for a year and a half.

David had many times like this in his adult life. But he always looked to God for his comfort. In Psalm 3:4-6, David said, "I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about."

Notice the word "sustained". That word in the Hebrew language means to "lean upon". Notice that David leaned upon God and was able to go to sleep. God made him feel safe and comfortable.

Spiritually we can do the same thing today. But we can only do it if we study our Bible and obey it. God wants to comfort us. He is our heavenly Father and He wants us to feel safe in His arms. But we must follow His word and do what He wants us to do.

If you will always study your Bible and obey God, no matter how old you get you will be able to lean on God, let Him put His arms around you, and feel safe. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you. Here are a few other scriptures to read: Psalm 4:8, Mark 10:13-16.

Until next time, keep studying your Bible. And be grateful for your parents or your guardian in whose lap you can crawl while you are little.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 1998

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)