Leaning On the Everlasting Arms
Music teacher AJ Showalter
dismissed his class one day in 1887
and returned home in Alabama.
There he found letters from two
former students, each with a similar
story: both had lost their wives.
Showalter began writing letters of
condolence. The scripture that came
to mind was from Deuteronomy,
the assurance of God’s “everlasting
arms” supporting us. Then he wrote
a third letter to Elisha Hoffman to
write a hymn on that theme. Hoffman
responded quickly with three stanzas
and Showalter supplied the music.
With God’s arms beneath us and
His love surrounding us, we can find
strength even in sorrowful situations.
Lord, we seek Your Everlasting Arms:
There is no one like the God of Israel.
He rides across the heavens
to help you, across the skies in
majestic splendour. The eternal God
is your refuge and His Everlasting
Arms are under you… Then Israel
shall dwell in safety… Happy are
you O Israel! Who is like you,
a people saved by the Lord, the
shield of your help (Deut 33:26-29)
Lord, You are almighty & You are
my safe refuge from the storm.
Help me to find rest in You for
the battle belongs to You Lord.
No matter whether the battles
are with finances, relationships,
health or obedience, I know that
because of Your presence in my life,
I’ll not face those challenges alone.
For I depend on Your Everlasting
Arms and strength, not mine. Amen
Lord, there is no one like You; for
You will ride across the heavens
in majestic splendour just to
help us when we cry out to You.
Let us experience You as our refuge
and sense Your Everlasting Arms
of protection and love holding us.
And we adore and praise You for
Your faithfulness & mighty power.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace
is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
What have I to dread, what have
I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord
so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.