Encouragement for Today - Mar. 16, 2009

March 16, 2009

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

Micca Monda Campbell

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand…”

Isaiah 40:12a (NIV)

Devotion:

My family and I love to vacation at the beach. As my husband and I sit digging our toes into the warm white sand, our children play in the emerald green salt water. The massive size of the ocean always reminds me that God is bigger and more wonderful than my mind can comprehend. I’m always compelled to quote out loud Isaiah 40:12 while sitting on the beach:

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?” (NIV)

What a superb reminder of God’s mighty power in the creation of the universe and galaxies. Even more amazing, He measured the span of them between His thumb and first finger. Hold those fingers up and look at their span for a moment. Now imagine God looking at the space between His thumb and first finger while saying, “I think I’ll make the universe about that big.” If that doesn’t give you a picture of just how big our wondrous God is, think about this: He poured the oceans from the palm of His hand! Oh, friend, when I gaze upon a huge body of water that could swallow me up in an instant, and I realize that God, at some moment in time, held the entire ocean in the palm of His hand, it simply blows me away!

As I consider this truth, I find myself awestruck by the greatness and glory of our God. The Lord God is so gigantic that He knows every creature that lives in that great body of water. He sees every ship that sails its waves. With a God this big, what could ever escape His attention? What need could we have that He cannot handle? Where could we go that we are not in His presence? What on the earth, above the earth, in the earth, or below the earth can make us afraid? Certainly, we can place our trust in a God so big that even the ocean waves obey their boundaries.

And yet we doubt instead of having boundless faith in an unbound God. We live in fear instead of living carefree in the care of God. Let me ask you—what person or thing can compare to Him? Who or what is more stable than God? Is anything more powerful or glorious? Too often I forget the wonder of God even though all of creation declares His glory. I need to remind myself daily of His greatness. In doing so, all my fears tend to fade in the light of His presence.

Today will you take time to recall how great and magnificent He is? Do it again tomorrow and the next day, too. See if you don’t find yourself awestruck by the One so magnificent we can scarcely wrap our minds around the thought of Him. But, oh how we need to try! It will do wonders for our faith and put to death our fears that smother our peace. Nothing gives me hope nor soothes my anxieties like meditating on the attributes of God. For what’s impossible for a God who holds the whole world in His hands? Nothing—absolutely nothing!

Dear Lord, You are Lord of all and over all, whether Your people acknowledge it or not. All of Your creation declares Your greatness and beauty. Stir my heart to worship You so that the rocks don’t have to cry out. You are worthy of all my praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew by Ruth and Warren Myers

An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell

Visit Micca’s blog

Application Steps: 

Take time to recall how great and magnificent God is. Do it again tomorrow and the next day, too. See if you don’t find yourself awestruck by the One so magnificent we can scarcely wrap our minds around the thought of Him.

Reflections: 

When did you last sit and ponder God’s creation?

How does His creation speak of His greatness?

How can you use God’s creation as a witnessing tool to unbelieving friends and family?

Power Verses:

Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (NIV) 

Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (NIV)

Luke 19:38-39, “’Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.’" (ESV)

© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.

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