Isaiah 49:2 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 49:2 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away.
Devotion
Hidden in the shadow of God’s hand. My friend Tricia has a small statuette of a little girl bending at the waist to lay her head on a giant hand, presumably the hand of God. I’m reminded of the story (maybe apocryphal) of the fireman walking through a charred forest, overturning the remains of a burned bird, only to find three baby birds safely protected from the once-burning forest. The hand of God, while not keeping us separated from the trials of the world, is as near to us as a mother to her chicks.
Prayer
Mothering God, your hand of protection is as close to me as my own breath. Thank you for never forsaking me. Amen.