Conclusion of Beholding "The Pleasantness Of Jehovah"

It is one thing to read that God is "vigorous in power." (Isaiah 40:26) It is quite another to read about how he delivered Israel through the Red Sea and then sustained the nation in the wilderness for 40 years. You can visualize the surging waters splitting apart. You can picture the nation - perhaps 3,000,000 in all-walking over the dry seabed, the congealed waters standing like massive walls on either side. (Exodus 14:21; 15:8) You can see the evidence of God's protective care in the wilderness. Water flowed out of rock. Food, resembling white seeds, appeared on the ground. (Exodus 16:31; Numbers 20:11) Jehovah here reveals not only that he has power but that he uses it in behalf of the people. Is it not reassuring to know that our prayers go up to a powerful God who "is for us a refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found during distresses?" - Psalm 46:1.

Jehovah, who is a spirit, has done even more to help us know him. As humans we are bound visible realities and therefore cannot see into the spirit realm. For God to describe himself to us in spirit terms would be like trying to explain details of your appearance, such as your eye color or freckles, to someone born blind. Rather, Jehovah kindly helps us to 'see" him in terms we can understand. At times, he employs metaphors and similes, likening himself to things that are know to us. He even describes himself as having certain human features.

Notice the description of Jehovah found at Isaiah 40:11: "Like a shepherd he will shepherd his own drove. With his arm he will collect together the lambs; and in his bosom he will carry them." Jehovah is here compared to a shepherd who picks up lambs with "his arm." This denotes God's ability to protect and support his people, even the more vulnerable ones. We can feel safe in his strong arms, for if we are loyal to him, he will never forsake us. (Romans 8:36, 39) The Great Shepherd carries the lambs "in his bosom" -an expression referring to the loose folds of the upper garment, in which a shepherd would at times carry a newborn lamb. We are thus assured that Jehovah cherishes and tenderly cares for us. It is only natural to want to be close to him.

Next time: "The Son Is Willing To Reveal Him"

Draw Close To Jehovah