Lifted and Held

November 20, 2008 (Nov. 19 at home)

Yesterday we took an express bus to Seoul City Hall, “express” meaning it stopped only 6-8 times in the one hour trip. When we arrived at our destination, we found what we were looking for, the Seoul Art Museum. A new art show began that day.

As we entered the gallery, we could smell flowers. The entrance held several huge arrangements. Inside, each artist had their own small space that held 6-12 pieces of their work, a small table with a chair for them to greet visitors, and flowers. Most were orchids in large vases, dozens in each bouquet and a feast for the eyes and our sense of smell

The paintings were even more impressive, mostly representational art, all excellent in composition and execution. If possible, I would have purchased several to take home; one in particular simply astounded me.

We were also amazed at the traffic on our subway ride home. We had a short trip on one line that we boarded from the basement of the art gallery, but when we went to transfer to the line that goes to the area where we are staying, it was about 5:00 pm. The cars were full, not merely the seating, but people were jammed in standing shoulder to shoulder. We decided to wait for the next train, which turned out to be a good idea. We were able to sit down immediately.

Today, as I read from Deuteronomy 33, I felt the same sense of awe and astonishment as with the sights, sounds and smells of yesterday, only this time about the largeness of God and His care. Verses 26-27 say, “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Our trip yesterday demonstrated the vast size of this city and the number of souls who live in it. This verse reminded me that the same God who takes care of me is also watching over His people here. If statistics are correct, that could mean that here in Seoul, God holds in His everlasting arms the lives of more than three and a half million people who believe in Him. He helps them, cares for them, and knows the number of hairs on each head. These are the people who know and love Him, and these thoughts stagger me.

They shouldn’t. The Bible says much about God caring for His people. Psalm 91:9-11 says: “Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”

I’ve no words to express the awe of God that this produces in my heart. It isn’t just that God is my refuge, but that He is the refuge for millions of people. There is no one too small for Him to care for, and no masses of people too large to be covered by His love and held underneath His everlasting arms. How great is the Lord who is my hiding place and protector. How great is the Lord who takes care of everyone who puts their trust in Him.