Daily Encouragement

"When The Earth Totters"

Message summary: The God who is sustaining all things is also sustaining each one of us. He speaks through the prophet Isaiah to the ancient people of God and thus through the Scriptures to all of us: "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth" (Isaiah 46:3).

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"When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars" (Psalm 75:3). "He holds everything together [sustains/upholds all things] with His powerful word" (Hebrews 1:3). "In Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).

You’re still just as good as when I met You
You’re still just as kind don’t let me forget that You’re
Still the same God who led me through the fire
You’re still the same God that separates the waters
Come do what only you can do, God I need you

I don't recall noticing today's first text until reading a short devotional message two days ago that I receive from a reader named Robert and this verse really struck me.

"When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants" - Sometimes does it feel like the earth is tottering to you? The word totter means "to move unsteadily, stagger, wobble, to tremble or rock as if about to fall, to become unstable, threaten to collapse." Well I must say it sure seems there is more uncertainty in world conditions than at any time I have thus far experienced in life. An old 60's comedy movie was titled "It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world". But with so much rejection of God and His ways it seems our world is getting madder and madder in the sense of a rabid dog!

Here's one example from the current crop of madness going on. "Protesters" against the recent Supreme Court decision are demonstrating their disrespect for the Bible by kicking it around like a soccer ball, flushing it down the toilet and burning it. One comment I read regarding this madness pointed out that Islam is also opposed to abortion so why don't they do the same with the Koran?

"It is I who keep steady its pillars" Isn't this beautiful imagery of our all-powerful sovereign Lord? Another version translates, "When the earth and all its people shake, it is I Who will hold it together".

Today's second Scripture is powerful and rich with meaning and supports this sense of God holding it all together. The Son "holds everything together [sustains/upholds all things] with His powerful word". There are many things we can focus on that will bring us anxiety and distress. It may be a personal health issue or a family matter. It may be our finances or the condition of the world with the turmoil and uncertainty. These are the times our personal world may seem to totter.

We just don't know how these and many other issues will all work out. But we can experience great assurance in this eternal truth: God is upholding all things by His powerful Word! God is upholding every single microchip and every single cell in my body and everyone else's body. In Colossians 1:17 we read, "In Him all things hold together". The Psalmist appeals, "Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:15).

The Amplified Bible seeks to bring out the fuller meaning of the Greek by stating, "upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power". The Greek word (pheron) is in the present active indicating a concept that is dynamic, not static. The Son's work of sustaining involves not only support, but also movement. He is the One who carries all things forward on their appointed course.

The God who is upholding and sustaining all things is also upholding and sustaining each one of us. He speaks through the prophet Isaiah to the ancient people of God and thus through the Scriptures to all of us: "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth" (Isaiah 46:3).

Truly, He's still the same God! Rest in that wonderful assurance today. Raise your eyes heavenward this day and declare, I believe You are sustaining all things by Your powerful Word and You will accomplish that which concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting (from Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 138:8).

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we are assured that You will guide us each day as we keep in step with Your Spirit. You satisfy our needs and give strength to the weary. Thank You for hearing our cries and saving us from our troubles. Thank You for being close to the brokenhearted and comforting those whose spirits have been crushed. Though we choose to live according to Your ways we know that we're not exempt from problems, but we are greatly encouraged to know that You, Father, solve them all and sustain us in the midst of them. By Your gracious all-sustaining power the sun will come up tomorrow no matter the darkness we might feel today. Thank You faithful, holy and righteous One. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Just As Good" Video Chris Renzema This is the song we quoted from at the beginning of our message today which has really been ministering to both of us whenever we hear it come on. Whether it's the seemingly tottering world or you have some tottering going on in your life it's great to find assurance from truth!

"Leaning" Video Matt Maher, Lizzie Morgan

"By the Grace of God" Video Tim Hughes

* Pro-abortion activists play soccer with a Bible, commit acts of desecration

Robert's Blog - A Biblical Commentary

Porta-potties at Creation Festival (early 80's)

Today through Saturday there is a huge outdoor Christian music festival in central PA known as "Creation" It will have many musical groups and teachers. For several years back in the early 80's when we were a lot younger we enjoyed going to this with friends from our church. A classic photo we claim demonstrates church unity is this one when we all appeared to use the porta-potties together. I suppose we were in "one accord"! Now most in the photo are 60 and over! Brooksyne is wearing the floppy hat and I am giving the "One Way" Jesus sign.

Finally today:

Our friend Doris High wrote yesterday and shared this photo. "When I saw the egg gathering on your post today, I thought you might have fun with a photo our son and his wife posted yesterday. They have a stray kitten who has made a home with Jere and Kristen’s chickens. She even sleeps in a chicken nest and eats chicken feed."

(Photo credit to Kristen Zimmerman High)

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

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