“My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.” Job 29:20
Arrows seem to be really popular in graphics and images today. We see them on chalkboard art and in home decor and just about everywhere. The Hunger Gamesmovies have probably made arrows a little more popular too.
Let’s take a look at Job 29:20 where Job says, “…my bow was renewed in my hand.” What does a bow do? It shoots arrows of course and you have to have strength to shoot an arrow. Sure, shooting arrows requires accuracy and good aim but ultimately it requires strength to pull back on the bow.
Living the Christian life requires strength too. We cannot do it on our own. We have to depend upon the Lord to draw our strength from. We need that fellowship with Him and have to rely on Him to build us up and to help us wield our arrows through life.
So how do we keep that strength renewed in our hands? I think the parts of an arrow can help us. There are four parts.
- Fletching
The fletching is that feathery part of an arrow. It is used to provide a little force to stabilize the arrow as it flies through the air.What are we using for our “fletching”? What stabilizes us as Christians? It has got to be the Word of God. Nothing else can ground us more and help us as we fly through life.“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
- Arrowhead
The next part of the arrow is the arrowhead. It is the point at the end of an arrow. The type of arrowhead an arrow has attached depends on the purpose for which it is used.What is our purpose as Christians? It should be to live for Christ and bring others to Him. We are ambassadors for Christ. The passage in 2 Corinthians 5 talks about this.“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
- Noch
The noch is at the backend of the arrow. It is the little cut out spot that you insert onto the string into before you shoot the arrow. It holds the arrow in place while you take your aim and draw the bow.What keeps us in place? I think our prayer life can do that. Spending time in prayer helps us build our relationship to Christ and helps us increase our faith. I find, especially as I get older, that prayer steadies me. I don’t know how I would cope with life without being able to go to the Lord in prayer.“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
- Shaft
The shaft of an arrow is that long part. It is what the other elements of an arrow are attached to.Salvation is our shaft. Salvation is what we build upon as a Christian. We have to have that in place first. Accepting Christ is key before we can build a relationship with Him and begin going about serving Him. We have to have our salvation settled.“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12
Julia Bettencourt CLM