THE MASSIVE SAFETY NET.
From Deuteronomy 33:27 we read these words…”The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…”
THE MASSIVE SAFETY NET. Let me ask you something… have you ever had the need for a safety net? I’ve never personally visited San Francisco and seen the Golden Gate Bridge, but everyone who has says it’s absolutely breathtaking. During its construction, though, it wasn’t just beautiful, it was dangerous. The construction crew was high above the bay, balancing on narrow beams, and tragically, several of the workers fell to their deaths. There was widespread panic and progress building the bridge came to a screeching halt. Something had to change. So the builders held an emergency meeting. They had to do something. Their solution? They did what had never been attempted on that scale before. They installed a massive net beneath the entire construction site. And that’s when everything changed. Once that net was in place, the workers still had to climb. They still had to balance on narrow beams. The winds still blew. The risks were still real. But now they knew that if they were to fall, they wouldn’t die. It might not be pleasant. It might still hurt. But they would survive to tell about it. And here’s the amazing part: productivity increased. The same men. The same bridge. The same heights. But now they worked with confidence instead of fear. What made the difference? That massive safety net.
GOD’S SAFETY NET. Friend, that’s what God is reminding us of in our verse for today. Note again what the Lord says, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” What is the promise in this Scripture? The Lord has not left us to walk life’s high beams alone. Underneath every step… underneath every scary moment… underneath every act of obedience… are His everlasting arms. Praise God! He doesn’t remove the heights. He doesn’t calm every wind. He doesn’t eliminate every risk. But He does promise to be underneath us. And that changes everything. Beneath us are His everlasting arms…His divine safety net.
WHAT DOES HIS SAFETY NET LOOK LIKE? God’s safety net for us is not a giant visible mesh of rope strands woven together. Rather, it’s the spiritual strands of His Word woven together that are always steady and sure. It shows up in specific, practical ways when we need it most. I think of the verse in Ecclesiastes 4:12 that says, “…a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” I like to think of God’s safety net as these three unbreakable cords found in His Word.
1. HIS GRACE. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Grace is the net of forgiveness and fresh starts. Isn’t it wonderful to know that when we stumble in sin, fail in judgment, or fall short of the expectations of others, His grace catches us. We should be cautioned that it doesn’t remove the consequences in every situation, but it can restore relationships and renew our strength. You are not standing today because you’ve done everything right. You’re standing because His grace has been holding you.
2. HIS PROMISES. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Think of God’s Word as a woven net of promises beneath our lives. When circumstances shift and people disappoint us, His promises remain secure. Like the workers on that huge bridge, they remind us that we are never abandoned in a mid-air free fall! Warren Weirsbe said… “God’s people live by promises, not explanations!” Every “I will” from God is another strand in the net. We may not always get answers. But we always have His Word. PTL!
3. HIS PRESENCE. I love this promise tucked away in the Old Testament! The Bible says, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…” (Isaiah 43:2). Be sure to notice the Lord doesn’t say “if” you pass through the waters, but “when.” Trials are part of our walk with the Lord. It’s part of learning that you can, and must, continually lean upon Him! His presence guarantees we never fall alone. Even in the most frightening moments when we’re tempted to worry, He reminds us to, “Cast all your care (worries) upon Him for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). When you feel like you’re in a free fall, please remember His everlasting arms are always underneath!
WHAT ABOUT YOU, TODAY? Are you hesitating in your walk with the Lord? Are you at a standstill because you’re afraid of falling?
Are you afraid of what might happen if you step out in obedience? Be encouraged today, my friend! The beams may feel narrow and the strong winds may seem threatening. But beneath you is a net woven from: Grace, promises and His mighty presence! Take that next step forward in faith. Why? Because you can be assured that underneath it all is God’s massive safety net! Think it over…🙏