Between the Shoulders

This past week our son Jonathan’s family was with us. That meant that all three grandsons were here: Jesse, Jack, and Caleb. One evening, as the others were getting ready for bed (which is quite an event!), Caleb, who is now just over one year old, was with me on the couch as we waited for his mom or dad to come get him for bed. While we waited he and I played his little one year old games, like gently bonking heads or letting him clap my hands together. He has gotten to be quite animated and can be so much fun—and seems to love playing with his grandpa!  

Suddenly Caleb laid his head down on my chest. He moved back and forth a few times, making me think he was just playing another game. Before I knew it, however, his head was down between my shoulders—i.e., on my chest—and he had fallen asleep. I was pleasantly surprised and quite glad that he would feel so comfortable with me that he would fall asleep on me in that way. 

I immediately thought of one of my favorite verses in the Bible. In the book of Deuteronomy, we read of Moses pronouncing blessing on the various tribes of Israel.  When we come to the blessing on the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of the tribes, we read these words: 

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”  (Deuteronomy 33:12 – NIV; emphasis mine) 

What a beautiful picture is given of God’s people resting between his shoulders! It speaks of a place of comfort, peace, safety, and security. To rest between God’s shoulders implies his willingness to have his children come to him, lean upon him, and find their rest in him—and on him. And it implies that his children feel safe and secure enough with him to do so. 

In the midst of a world that can seem so hectic and chaotic, what a blessing it is to know that we have a place where we can go to find rest for our souls. Our heavenly Father still invites us to himself to not only lay our petitions before him, but to simply rest our heads upon him. He calls us as his children to come to him and find in him the comfort and peace, along with the safety and security that he as our heavenly Father is able to bring into our lives. And hopefully, we/you feel safe and secure enough—and have faith enough—to respond to his invitation. 

If you’re struggling in some way today, let me encourage you to lay your head between the shoulders of your heavenly Father.  There you will find a place of rest, peace, and comfort for your soul. 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris