Preaching on The Mighty Arm of God

A powerful and recurring image in scripture: the mighty arm of God. This is not a literal limb, but a profound symbol of His strength, His power, His intervention, and His unwavering commitment to His people. Let us explore the multifaceted significance of God's mighty arm.

1. The arm of the Lord is a symbol of liberation and redemption (Exodus 6:6)

"Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will free you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments." In the Exodus, God's outstretched arm was the instrument of Israel's deliverance from slavery. It symbolizes His power to break the chains of oppression and redeem His people from bondage.

2. The everlasting arm is our refuge and safety (Deuteronomy 33:27)

"The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and he will cast out the enemy from before you, and will say, 'Destroy him.'" Moses blesses Israel with the assurance of God's everlasting arms as their refuge. This speaks of God's eternal strength providing a secure foundation and protection against all enemies.

3. The arm of God is unmatched in power (Job 40:9)

"Hast thou an arm like God, or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?" God challenges Job with the question of His unparalleled power. No human arm can compare to the might of God's arm, capable of wielding the very forces of nature.

4. God has a strong and exalted arm (Psalms 89:13)

"Your arm is armed with strength; strong is your hand, and high is your right hand." The Psalmist praises God for His mighty arm, a symbol of His strength and sovereign authority. His right hand, often associated with power and favor, is lifted high in exaltation.

5. The arm of the Lord operates with victory and justice (Psalms 98:1)

"Psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory." God's arm is not used arbitrarily but in the service of victory and justice. His mighty acts bring about deliverance and establish righteousness.

6. The arm of God will judge the nations (Isaiah 51:5)

"My righteousness is near, my salvation has come, and my arms will judge the peoples; the islands will wait for me, and in my arm they will hope." Isaiah prophesies of a time when God's arm will be revealed in judgment, establishing His righteousness among the nations. Even distant lands will place their hope in His powerful intervention.

7. The arm of the Lord was revealed in Christ, but few recognized it (Isaiah 53:1)

"Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" Isaiah's poignant question highlights the tragic reality that even when God's power was manifested in the person of Jesus Christ, His "arm" of salvation was not recognized by many.

8. The Lord has sworn by his arm that he will protect and bless his people (Isaiah 62:8)

"The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength: Never again will I give your grain as food to your enemies, nor will foreigners drink your wine for which you have labored." God's oath by His own mighty arm underscores the certainty of His promises to protect and bless His people. His strength guarantees their security and provision.

9. God led Israel with his glorious arm through the sea (Isaiah 63:12)

"Who made his glorious arm walk at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them, to make for himself an everlasting name." The parting of the Red Sea was a dramatic display of God's glorious arm in action, leading His people to freedom and establishing His everlasting renown.

10. The arm of God exalted the people of Israel (Acts 13:17)

"The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they were strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm he brought them out of it." Stephen's recounting of Israel's history emphasizes God's sovereign choice and His powerful arm in exalting them from a state of servitude to a position of freedom and destiny.

Therefore, let us take courage and find our security in the mighty arm of God. It is an arm that liberates, protects, empowers, brings victory and justice, and ultimately reveals God's saving grace. Though often unseen by the world, this mighty arm is constantly at work on behalf of those who trust in Him. Amen.

Preaching on The Mighty Arm of God