My eyes fell upon an old story told, that Martin Luther, in years gone by, spent time in awe and wonder at the “arch of heaven” as he gazed at the sky. It stands mysteriously “unsupported by pillars,” upheld by “unseen power,” with ocean-depth’s high.
“Certainly this is a lesson from God.” Martin Luther believed. “If God can hold up the heavens, He can hold up all that concerns me.” Luther pondered the Word in this way. We can be reminded to ponder Him* too.
God holds up the arc of the heavens. He separated with His Word “the waters from the waters.” Genesis 1:6, we see this recorded.
“And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.” Genesis 1:8. These verses are often brushed over with barely a thought.
But when the heavens feel as if to be crashing down on me – in a day of my life – causing great strife and deep, bitter grief. I think on the unseen pillars of God’s strong arms, which hold up the sky – with power that is able, and I breathe …
through the present moment, and then the next. The powerful Word changes my mind from losing it all together to being almost sane, one moment at a time.
“Can you see my strong arms?” I can almost hear Him whisper. So I search and I look and my eyes are lifted up. Fear and doubt and anxious thoughts fall as my eyes and my breath search and seek for Love’s powerful touch.
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; … with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3. “Think on these things. Think of Me.”
In a moment when I could go either way, from fear to faith – from faith to fear – unseen arms lift, the heaviness of the clouds that press down on me, up to separate and place me above the waters and waves of the stormy sea.
Ponder with me? Inspired by an old story.
Let us seek and search and discover together, the unseen arms of the One Who can hold us together.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7, New Living Translation.
And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. Genesis 1:6-8.
“This is what the Lord says: … “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, …” Jeremiah 29: 11-14.
- *Revelation 19:12-14. …”He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is THe Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.”
(1) Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible, pg.2.
I write for myself, in that God told me, “Write ina book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.” Jeremiah 30:2.
I just pray that this “book” helps my vision, and perhaps yours too, be made ever clearer to see the face of our Savior, our merciful God’s face: Jesus.