"See, the Sovereign LORD comes with
power, and He rules with a mighty arm… He tends His flock like a shepherd: He
gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently
leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11 NIV)
The juxtaposition in this passage of God’s
sovereign power and His gentle care of His sheep is striking. The arm of the
Lord in Scripture is always a symbol of His mighty power and strength; and the
title “shepherd,” when used of God, always indicates His tender care and
constant watchfulness.
In this passage, God’s sovereign power
and tender care are united for the benefits of His people. The same arm that is
exercised in power over all the universe is used to gather His lambs and to
carry them close to His heart. No more picturesque symbol of God’s love for us
can be given than that of the faithful and tender Shepherd carrying His lambs
close to His heart. And we are carried in the arms of sovereign power.
-- Jerry Bridges in “Trusting God”
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