Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: THE WHOLE WORLD IN GOD’S HANDS (not the song) (05/28/15)
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TITLE: Gloriously Infinite | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pauline Carruthers
06/04/15 -
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In the barren wilderness a tiny shoot pushes up through a crack in the rock face. Tender leaves unfurl and despite the lack of water, growth occurs and an exquisite miniature flower appears. There is no-one to enjoy its delicate beauty, except God. It is part of His Creation and though hidden, still reflects His glory.
‘The earth is the Lords and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.’ Psalm 24:1 NIV)
There was a storm last night and I lay awake listening to the waves pounding against the sea wall. I felt afraid. But then the story of Jesus calming the storm came to mind. Jesus was sleeping in the boat when a storm blew up. Waves pounded, swamping the boat, and the disciples were afraid and cried out to Him. But Jesus merely rebuked the wind and the waves, saying, “Quiet, be still.” And the wind and waves obeyed and the sea was calm. Jesus was totally in control of the elements. (Matthew 4 NIV)
Sometimes the power of the sea and oceans are manifested in storms, ships are wrecked and lives are lost. Other times there are miraculous rescues. Who can fathom the depth of God’s love at these times, when prayers are answered and lives are saved; when His hand stills the storm and subdues the oceans. Prayer is a precious gift from God. He brings rejoicing when He answers in the affirmative and comfort when His answer is ’no’.
‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.’ (Psalm 23:4 NIV)
Who can understand why a volcano suddenly erupts, spilling its fiery lava onto the earth, destroying villages and towns, taking lives and causing disruption and destruction. We know why it happens in a scientific sense, but why does God allow it. Maybe we weren’t intended to inhabit these places. Maybe these volcanic mountains are simply God’s way of venting the earth. Yet His still small voice speaks to us through the wind, fire and storms, just as powerfully as in the stillness. He motivates us, through these situations, to care and help each other. All things were created and are subdued by God. But sometimes He allows hard things to happen and it is difficult to understand why sometimes He acts to save and other times He is silent.
‘For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.’ (1Corinthians 1:25 NIV)
There is ugliness on the earth, yet there is much more exquisite beauty. There is pain and suffering, but much more healing. There is hatred and war, yet much more love and forgiveness. Our God’s eyes rove throughout the whole earth, seeing everything; allowing tragedy alongside joy, yet never losing control.
‘For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.’ (2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV)
There is nothing on this earth that the Lord our God does not see. He created the earth and all that is in it. He sees when we do wrong and seeks to correct, because we are His children and He loves us, whether we return that love or not. Sometimes He allows us to stray from the right path for a time, but always seeks to bring us back, though He still allows us the free will to choose.
We see the Lord our God’s hand in the beauty all around us; a stunning sunrise or sunset, the intricate beauty of a flower, the strength of a gnarled old tree that has weathered the years, or a sky that stretches endlessly overhead. We can see, feel and hear Him everywhere, if we take the time to look. His love and power is endless, eternal. He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, because He is God.
‘When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.’ (Psalm75:3 NIV)
I see an incredible rainbow spanning the sky after a storm and my heart is filled with thankfulness that our God, who made the universe and all things, visible and invisible, cares for me.
‘Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. (Genesis 9:14-15 NIV)
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