God's Upholding Hand

We have discussed our wonderful saviors power in the creation of angels, as well as that which was displayed in the creation of the universe. Yet, these are not the only places in which his creative powers are manifest. There is still yet another way in which they are clearly seen and that is in his upholding of all things by the word of his power . Let us prayerfully place our minds in God’s gracious hands that he may teach us the wonders of his power and mercy in so doing.

What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him?

This the psalmist writes after he had thought on the grandeur of the great heavens and began,( through those thoughts) to feel his own relative smallness in comparison to their creator. Indeed, what are we that he should think on us? Yet, he does (without fail) think of us and our troubles. He upholds all creation for our benefit. We live and breath and have our very being in him. It is he that is the giver and taker of life. One word from him and our entire universe would simply cease to be. Our sins deserve it and our unthankfulness cries out for its justice. Yet, in mercy he continues to sustain its every part by a knowledge and power which is far more than anything our imagination can conceive. Yet, he still holds those keys of life and death in his hands and one day the latter door will be opened before all of us and we will walk through it. One day that which has sustained us all our life will take that life away and none will say to him nay. Have we come to love this God? Have we reached that higher ground on which the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace? If not. Why not? The sun rose bright in the east this morning, saying with each golden beam, "your creator is still merciful to you". Did we hear it or did its gentle whispers escape the notice of our busy minds? Last night also, the stars and moon where still there saying (in their own sparkling way), "your maker is still faithful". Did we hear their wooing voice or did we fall heedless to sleep? Does it always have to take a storm to make us mindful of our author ? Is it only his wrath that will wake us up to his presence? Without him we are laterally nothing and will we go on as if he is not even there? Oh, dear Jesus please do not leave us to this, our natural course.

Look at the small sparrow and remember that God knows of each one that falls to the ground. Look at the flowers of the field and remember from whom their beauty comes. Oh, what a gracious God is ours! Thou rain that falls on the just and the unjust alike, lift up your voice and sing of thy mighty makers mercy and longsuffering. Thou splendid rainbow speak thou also of his great forbearance to mankind. Oh, friend think of his great love to sinners such as we are. What are we that he is mindful of us! Great is thy faithfulness oh, God my father there is no shadow of turning with thee, says the old song and how true it is. Oh, that we would learn to weep for our forgetfulness of him. For indeed, he is wonderful in the upholding of us all. Oh, blest is he who comes to rest on the arms of the LORD, for, in those arms he shall find peace.

His name shall be called wonderful.

As we finish this chapter, I would like to remind everyone of whom we have been speaking. That is the Lord Jesus. It is His name that shall be called wonderful, and, as we have begun to see in this chapter, it is with good reason that He is so called. May we be able to truthfully say with the song writer of old:

Fairest Lord Jesus Ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man the Son.
Thee will I cherish. Thee will I honor. Thou my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

Fair are the meadows. Fairer still the woodlands. Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heaven can boast.

I pray that this chapter has helped you see God’s wonderful power and love with a new sense of awe and admiration. Oh, may he be first in our hearts and minds. Almighty Heavenly Father, we ask that you would give us a hunger and thirst after thee. Dear Lord please take away anything that would hinder us from coming to a true knowledge of thee. We ask these things in Jesus name. Amen