"God's Final Word" (Part 4)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV).

The fourth principle revealed in our reading is the Son is the sustainer of all things. The progression of the writer’s descriptions of Jesus should not be missed. He declared that Jesus is heir, then creator, then the radiant image of God; now, he says He is the sustainer. This is accomplished all by “his powerful word.” In his governing and guiding of the world his will is felt by the utterance of his word.

The reference is to the function of the universe. Think of it! Every star, every planet and its moon, all of the universe is held together and functions as it is supposed to by the word of Jesus! Just thinking of the natural wonder of how the Earth functions is a marvel. Are you aware that the Earth must both rotate at the precise speed and tilt at a precise angle to the Sun in order for life, as we know it, to exist? And it is made so by the word of Jesus Christ!

The most important application of this truth is in the ordering of our personal lives. If Jesus is sufficient to sustain the universe, he certainly is capable of keeping us. It is so sad when we fail to recognize this truth. Maude Royden wrote: When you have nothing left but God, then you become aware that God is enough. Isn’t that the tragic truth? We often don’t turn to Christ until we have run out of other options. The write of Hebrews is simply saying He IS the option! He is God’s final and best Word! Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:

Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it. God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.

I wonder how much of God’s blessing we have missed because we simply didn’t trust him to supply it. We anxiously run about as if we have no one to help us in our work and life. God has sent his final Word to us. Jesus is more than a match for anything we may face. Trust Him!