Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Let the Amen Collection

This is a painting from a photo I took on a trip to Israel a few years ago.

 We took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and it was one of the most special things for me that we did during that trip.

Whenever you take a trip to Israel, there are so many sites that are special for the Christian faith…but I remember feeling a little sad that it seemed like on top of every traditional site (or at least where they believed significant events happened in God’s story), there was some elaborate church or structure built on top of that site…which in some ways, I suppose, preserves it in a way.  But, it’s hard to feel the authenticity of it—or connect the present day with the day of Jesus.

BUT, the Sea of Galilee is different because there is no church or structure built on top of the sea. 

It’s still the same, historical landmark that so many significant stories happened in the life of Christ:

-Jesus called Simon and Andrew from the shore—when they were casting their nets

-Jesus walked on water

-He taught people beside the sea (the sermon on the mount)

-Jesus cast out demons and did many other signs and miracles

-he calmed the storm

I chose to paint this piece to go with this hymn “Leaning on the everlasting arms” because so many of Jesus’ lessons to the disciples on this sea were about trust…about leaning on him, about trusting in him so deeply that fear has no place or room in your heart.

“What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms.”

What special lessons were taught on these waters to the disciples—about faith, and pure trust in God.