He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands?
By Karen Friday
I’ve often wondered something about the first Christmas. The birth of Jesus. What was it like for Mary and Joseph to hold Him?
The Holy Scriptures tell us they laid Him in a manger. Yet, we can be sure they held the Christ child. Loving parents in awe of a baby. (Last week’s article, Baby’s First Christmas.)
And relatives had their turn. Everyone has those family members, “I can’t wait to get my hands on Him.” Who doesn’t want to hold a baby and the new addition to one’s family tree? Aunts and uncles. All the common kinfolk. To lay their eyes on Him. To behold Him. To hold Jesus.
They held God incarnate in their hands.
I’m reminded of a song I heard as a child. An old American Spiritual. Recorded by various artists and highlighted in movies from drama to comedy.
Lyrics telling us that He (God) has babies, me and you, the whole world in His hands. Wait? Jesus’ earthly relatives held Him, but God holds us? The entire world? Let’s check it out.
10 biblical principles about God’s hands. (References are made to both the singular and plural noun; My hand. My right hand. Your hand. His hands. Past, present, and future tense verbs describe the tasks His hands have already accomplished, perform currently, and functions that will occur. This list is not exhaustive.)
- God’s hand creates. “It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand
that spread out the heavens above” (Isaiah 48:13, NLT). “. . . O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand” (Isaiah 64:8, NLT). - God’s hand is powerful and mighty. “Power and might are in your hand . . . .” (1 Chronicles 29:12, NLT).
- God’s hand is strong. “Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength” (Psalm 89:13, NLT).
- God’s hand protects. “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him . . . .” (Ezra 8:22, NLT).
- God’s hand supports and holds us up. “Your right hand holds me up” (Psalm 18:35, NLV). New Living Translation, “Your right hand supports me . . . .”
- God’s hand saves and is raised against evil. “You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me” (Psalm 138:7, NIV).
- Life is in God’s hand. “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all men” (Job 12:10, NLV).
- Time and future are in God’s hands. “My times are in your hand. . . .” (Psalm 31:15, NLV). New Living Translation, “My future is in your hands.”
- Good things and satisfying desires come from God’s hand. “You open Your hand and they are filled with good things” (Psalm 104:28, NLV). “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Psalm 145:16, NIV).
- The depths of the earth are in God’s hands. “He holds in his hands the depths of the earth . . . .” (Psalm 95:4, NLT).
Voila! God has all things—the world—in His hands.
With political unrest, lack of peace, the current state of our world, and persecution of Christians, these particular Holy Scriptures bring comfort. A security that astounds the weariest of souls.
We can trust that God, does indeed, have everything in His hands.
Therein lies the answer to these questions:
God’s got me in His hands?
God’s got you in His hands?
God’s got the whole world in His hands?
Yes, yes, and yes.
As we celebrate Christmas, let’s lay our eyes on Him. Behold Him. Christ the Lord. He’s holding us. Hold onto Him.
Enjoy this video of the African Children’s Choir performing.
© 2015 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Great article Karen! Very fitting for this time of year
Mom, thank you. With political unrest and lack of world peace, comforting to know God’s got the whole world in His hands! Shalom! Amen.
LOVE this. There really is so much security that God is in control and never falters. He indeed has the whole world in His hands. Thanks for the verses. Makes me want to grab my concordance and do a word study on hands.
Blessings for 2016! 🙂
Carl, thank you for commenting. Yes, God’s Holy Word brings peace into those uncertain places of the world. A security that He is large and in charge, always holding us in His faithful and loving hands. 🙂
You are very welcome. Your words hold so much encouragement! 🙂
Love, love, love, love this, Karen!! I’ve been struck this year by the image of Jesus as a baby, small enough to hold, while also being God, who holds all in His hands. So this just made me very excited!! Thank you!
It’s so easy to forget about God’s sovereignty when we see such chaos in the world, but He rules and reigns nonetheless. Thank goodness that it isn’t up to us to hold it all together! Amen? Thanks for the reminder… and for the new tune playing in my head! 🙂
Amen, Karen. Grateful He does hold it all together. Gosh, if it was up to us…oh, my. We can trust that God, does indeed, have everything in His hands. Thanks for commenting!