Power You Can Trust
Upholding all things by his powerful word. (Heb. 1:3)
Heb. 1:1-3, 10-12, and 13:8; Ps. 102:25-27 and 45:6-7; John 1:3; I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:15-20
What Is God Saying?
When we turn to the first chapter of Hebrews and to the first chapter of Colossians, we see the true picture of Jesus, the Christ. He is the One who not only "reflects the glory of God" but also "bears the very stamp of his nature." Prophets could and did express part of the truth of God. Jesus was a prophet, but much more. He was not a part of the truth. He was the whole truth of God. The prophets spoke. They pointed to God. They brought us fragments of truth. They used human methods to unveil the truths of God. Jesus revealed God by being himself, the truth of God, the true God. Yes, in the coming of his son, God revealed himself to the world.
It was not just a reflection of God in a mortal man. It was one who "bears the very stamp of his nature." He made the universe. He redeemed the errant and fallen world. He is ruling now with God the Father. "The heavens and the earth will perish" (Heb. 1:11). Jesus, the Christ, "remains the same and his years will never end" (Heb. 1:12). This is the One, no less than God, no other than God, who made and upholds the universe by his powerful word.
How Does This Apply To Us?
When this thought completely grips us, flooding our being as the rising tide fills the bays and inlets along the sea, everything changes. Our God reigns. He started it all. He upholds it all. He is alive. He is able. He is in control of everything. Let us apply that comforting and strengthening thought to every aspect of our lives. He upholds the universe (that includes us-each of us-all of us-and all there is of all of us), our strengths, our weaknesses, our victories, our failures, our euphoria, our aches and pains, our hopes and plans, our disappointments and frustrations! If he upholds the universe by his powerful word, can we not trust that same powerful word to uphold us in our greatest need, or greatest sorrow, or greatest failure?
If the outlook is dire, if all that is good and holy seems to be trampled down, or if health forsakes us and pain becomes a constant visitor, be consoled by this one great thought: "He who upholds the universe by his powerful word will hold us up by that same word of power."
Pray With Me
Lord Jesus, You are the Son of Man. You became one of us that by faith we might become one with you, but you are much, much more. Through you and for you, all things were created. You uphold the universe by your powerful word. Let no morning light break the night's long darkness, if it is not your radiance. Let no seedling break through the soil and rise, if it is not your life. Let no wind pour through this place, if it is not your cleansing grace. Let no star guide my boat on the sea, if it is not your supreme wisdom.
I quietly affirm, I deeply trust, I confidently believe that it is your powerful word that upholds the universe. Whenever I am disheartened and begin to wonder why evil should be so proud and strong, give me again a vision of yourself, O Christ, reflecting the very glory of God and bearing the very stamp of his nature.
As by your powerful word, you once created, so by that same powerful word, you can recreate. As by your powerful word there was a beginning, so by your powerful word there will be an end. As by your powerful word nothing could withstand your first design, so by your powerful word nothing will destroy your final plan. You are the Beginning and the End. "Whither shall I go from your Spirit? or whither shall I flee from your presence?" Whither shall I ever be driven that I will not there experience the promised deliverance and the quiet strength of him who upholds the whole universe and my own heart by his wonderful, powerful word.
To the glory of His saving power and in the confidence of His sustaining grace. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Pray with confidence. God, in Christ, has the word of power. The One before whom we kneel is not going to be defeated, nor will he allow those who trust him to be defeated. His plans will not be sabotaged by rampant evil, careless indifference, or bad luck. He started it by his powerful word. He will bring the right conclusion by that same powerful word. Trust him, especially when you pray.
