He makes it all happen.
For, just as in the case of one who speaks, when he stops speaking, his voice ceases and disappears, so also with the heavenly Father, should he stop speaking his Word, the effect of his Word—the created universe—would cease to exist. For the very continuance of the created universe is the speech of God the Father, the eternal and unchangeable generation of his Word.
– Eriugena, Homily on John 1.1-14, Irish, 9th century[1]
He sends out His command to the earth;
His word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?
He sends out His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
– Psalm 147.15-18
We’re looking forward to our first snow of the season, hopefully, not long hence. There’s nothing like snow to make you want to be quiet and wonder and rejoice in the beauty of the Lord.
But it always seems like, as soon as the snow arrives, it’s gone. (There’s never enough winter for me.) The Lord Who gives snow like wool sends out His Word and melts it. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
The world and everything in it continue to exist only by the pleasure and power of God. Were it not that the Word of God, enthroned at the Father’s right hand, upholds all things by His power, they would all cease to be (Heb. 1.3). In Him, everything holds together (Col. 1.17); thus, all things speak of and reveal Him in some way, inviting us, whatever the weather or conditions, to reflect on the greatness and goodness of our King.
Wrong-believers snort at such a notion; even most Christians hardly give it a thought. But by their very continuance, the creation and everything in it summon us to give thanks and praise to King Jesus. Everything in life, joyous blessing or heart-wrenching trial, is fraught with reasons to marvel and tremble and rejoice before a Power we cannot fathom but which we can experience and know.
Every electron circling the nucleus of every atom throughout the whole vast cosmos holds its course, not because of some impersonal material “law” insisting it must, but because the Word of God commands and sustains it in precisely the course and function He has determined. He attends to every atom and particle of the universe. And He continuously attends to all the precious and very great promises He has made to us His people.
So regular—the Scriptures would say, “faithful”—is the Word of God in His maintenance of the cosmos, that His ways (which are past finding out) can appear to take the form of physical laws, embedded in the stuff of the cosmos. But they only appear thus, for the Word of God is free to suspend or alter His ways at His pleasure, at which time we observe a miracle. The “laws” of physics do not rule the universe. As C. S. Lewis pointed out (God in the Dock) the “laws” of physics merely describe what happens. They don’t make anything happen. Christ rules the universe, and the “laws” of physics merely describe His faithfulness and power in minute and comprehensive detail.
Contemplate the wonder which is your hand—that collection of nimbleness, strength, dexterity, and multi-tasking living tools—and realize that everything about that marvelous appendage is what it is, and can do what it does, because of the unremitting, unfailing, personal attention of the Word of God.
His steadfast love truly endures forever. We can see it in all the ways He sustains the world.
If you ever doubt God’s love for you, or wonder if He has withdrawn His Presence, or forgotten to be faithful to you in your time of need, look at your hand and consider its beauty, intricacy, detail, and design, as well as all the marvels it can perform. And this is just what you can see! Hidden below the surface of the skin of your hand are wonders and mysteries we cannot see but which make what we can see actually happen. And as you contemplate such matters, know that He Who made and keeps that hand is with you always; He will never fail you nor forsake you.
Or look to the gloriously gray, winter-gathering skies. Revel in the prospect of the soft, silent beauty of the Word-sent snow.
Rejoice and give thanks: His steadfast, unfailing love for you endures forever.
For Reflection
1. Take a few moments to contemplate your hand. How many different reasons does your hand give you for giving thanks to God?
2. What could you do to bring more contemplation of God’s works into your devotional life?
Psalm 147.15-20 (St. Anne: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
His Word to earth runs to and fro to carry out His will;
He brings the rain, He sends the snow, and none can keep Him still.
His Word He to His Church bestows – His promises and Law.
No other nation God thus knows: praise Him with songs of awe!
Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Our book Be Thou My Vision can help you see more of the glory of Jesus—including in the world around you—so that you can set Him more consistently before you each day. Order your copy by clicking here.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
T. M. Moore, Principal
tmmoore@ailbe.org
All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Bamford, p. 102.
