“You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.”
(Nehemiah 9:6)
John Arrowsmith, a very astute Westminster Divine, rightly said, “Divine providence extends itself to all created beings.”[1]
In 1 Timothy 6:13, God is described as the “One who quickens,” or “gives life.” In this context, however, the older students of Scripture believe the term “quicken” implies one who keeps alive, or preserves, all things—referring here to God the Preserver rather than the Creator.
God is the First Cause of all things, of course. But that was just the “genesis” of it all! Every millisecond since, He has been actively governing, upholding, and preserving everything He made. Scripture declares that God through Christ, “sustains all things by the word of His power,” (Heb. 1:3). His governing providence extends to every single aspect of His creation from eternity past to eternity future.
For example, Scripture tells us that God spoke the constellations of our universe into existence, measured out the heavens with the span of His hand, and continually holds them in place (Job 38:31-33, Isa. 40:12). This universe, by the way, is estimated to be around 28 billion light years in diameter—the equivalent of 5.88 trillion miles wide!
In the same way, He measured out the oceans in the hollow of His hand, marked the boundaries for the seas, and set the foundations of the earth in place (Isa. 40:12, Prov. 8:29). And He has preserved it every moment of every day for thousands of years.
Granted, it’s a challenge for our finite minds to even begin to understand a God that powerful and that big! And yet, this same God concerns Himself with you and me personally. He knows the number of hairs on our head at every given moment. He even takes note when one insignificant sparrow falls to the ground from its perch.
The psalmist, when meditating on such truths, breaks out in praise in Psalm 113:2-7 saying:
Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
God is not aloof. He is not far off. He is everywhere present in His essence, knowledge, and power. It is by His sustaining hand that the continuance of all things is preserved. If God were to withdraw His preserving hand, all things would cease to be.
Have you considered what it means to be upheld by the word of His power day by day? God gives life to you moment by moment, and every breath you take is a gift from the Lord because “by Him all things consist,” (Col. 1:17).
Contemplations:
- The Hand That Upholds All Things. The vastness of creation declares Your wisdom, Lord. You spoke the universe into existence, measured out the heavens, and set the earth upon its foundations. You preserve all things by the word of Your power. Nothing was created and nothing continues apart from You. When I consider the sheer immensity of Your works, I am left in awe. But do I rest in the knowledge that my life, my breath, my every moment is held in Your hands?
- The Providence That Governs My Life. Lord, You are not a distant Creator who set the world in motion and left it to run its course. You are intimately involved in all things, orchestrating every event, ruling over the rise and fall of nations, and guiding the steps of Your people. Even the sparrows are under Your watchful care. How much more, then, do You care for me?
- The Humility of God’s Care. Who is like You, O Lord, who dwells in the highest heavens yet humbles Yourself to behold the things of the earth? You, the Infinite One, concern Yourself with the finite. You, the Almighty, care for the weak. You number the hairs on my head. You know my thoughts before I speak them. You direct my days with perfect wisdom. Do I recognize and ponder the nearness of my God? Do I live in daily gratitude for the intricate care You show me?
- The Breath That Is Not My Own. Every moment of my existence is dependent upon You, Lord. You sustain me in ways I cannot see, supporting my very breath. Yet how often do I take my life for granted, living as though I am self-sufficient? The reality is that I am dust, upheld by Your mercy. Do I use the life You have given me for Your glory, knowing that my every breath is a gift?
Prayer:
O Lord, my Preserver, You alone uphold all things. You made the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that is in them. And You preserve them all (Neh. 9:6). You spoke the universe into existence, and by Your power it stands firm. You measure out the stars, ordain the seasons, and command the waves where they may go. What is man, that You are mindful of him? Who am I, that You take notice of me? Yet You do. You set Your love upon me, and You sustain my life moment by moment.
Lord, I confess that I often fail to acknowledge Your providence as I should. I go about my days as though I control my own destiny, forgetting that it is by Your mercy that I draw my next breath. I worry about the future, failing to trust that the One who upholds the universe will also uphold me. I take for granted the life You have given, the food You provide, the very air I breathe. Forgive me, Lord, for my forgetfulness. Forgive me for my self-sufficiency, for my lack of faith in Your daily care.
Thank You, Father, that Your providence extends not only to the great things of creation but also to the smallest details of my life. You see the sparrows, and not one falls apart from Your will. You clothe the grass of the field, and You feed the birds of the air—how much more will You provide for me, Your child? Thank You for Your sustaining hand. Thank You for the mercy that upholds me, for the grace that carries me through each day.
O God, increase my trust in You. Teach me to live in the reality that You are my Preserver, that all things are under Your sovereign care. Let me not be anxious for tomorrow but instead rest in the knowledge that my life is in Your hands. May I acknowledge You in all my ways, recognizing that You alone are my Keeper. Let my lips be filled with praise, my heart with gratitude, and my life with obedience. And when trials come, when uncertainties press upon me, may I not fear but rather trust in the God who upholds all things.
Lord, my Sustainer, I commit myself to You. Be my refuge, my provider, my guide. Lead me in Your ways, and let me glorify You with every breath You give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further References for Nehemiah 9:6
Deut. 10:14; 2 Kings 19:15; Ps. 146:6, 148:2; Heb. 1:6; Isa. 45:12
[1] John Arrowsmith, A Chain of Theological Principles, (Coconut Creek, FL: Puritan Publications, 2012) 4:1.
