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Upholds

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10



The concept of "upholds" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's sustaining power and His active involvement in the creation and maintenance of the universe. This term is often associated with God's providence, strength, and faithfulness, as He supports and maintains all things according to His divine will.

Divine Sustenance and Creation

The Bible frequently emphasizes that God is the ultimate sustainer of all creation. In Hebrews 1:3 , it is stated, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." This passage highlights the role of Jesus Christ in sustaining the universe, affirming His divine authority and power. The act of upholding is not passive but involves the continuous exertion of divine power to maintain the order and existence of all things.

God's Faithfulness and Support

The theme of God upholding His people is prevalent throughout Scripture, reflecting His unwavering faithfulness and support. In Psalm 37:17 , it is written, "For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous." This verse contrasts the fate of the wicked with the security of the righteous, underscoring God's commitment to sustaining those who follow Him. Similarly, Psalm 145:14 declares, "The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down," illustrating God's compassion and readiness to support those in need.

Moral and Spiritual Support

Beyond physical sustenance, the Bible also speaks of God upholding His people in moral and spiritual dimensions. In Isaiah 41:10 , God reassures His people, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This promise of divine support is a source of comfort and strength, encouraging believers to trust in God's righteous power to sustain them through trials and challenges.

Human Responsibility and Divine Support

While God upholds His creation and people, there is also an element of human responsibility in maintaining a relationship with Him. Believers are called to rely on God's strength and guidance, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sustaining power while actively seeking His wisdom and direction.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of "upholds" encompasses God's active role in sustaining the universe, His faithfulness in supporting the righteous, and His moral and spiritual guidance for believers. Through His powerful word and righteous right hand, God ensures the stability and continuity of His creation, offering believers assurance and strength in their walk of faith.

 
I learned something new.

I always thought that Jesus spoke things into existence and that they would just gradually decay due to sin until he returned to make things new again.

I didn't know or realise is that he is always maintaining creation and keeping things altogether so to speak
There's a faint hint of that in the passage "in Him we live and move and have our being" that Paul quotes from an ancient Greek poem. It's Acts 17:28.

The faint hint I get from that is that outside of Him we can't hold our atomic structure together or could even have an atomic structure at all.

It really points up the insanity of Satan who thinks that by deposing God he would exist or any of this would exist. It is evident that without the Creator to keep His creation in existence (and that would include Satan) there would be no existence.
 
There's a faint hint of that in the passage "in Him we live and move and have our being" that Paul quotes from an ancient Greek poem. It's Acts 17:28.

The faint hint I get from that is that outside of Him we can't hold our atomic structure together or could even have an atomic structure at all.

It really points up the insanity of Satan who thinks that by deposing God he would exist or any of this would exist. It is evident that without the Creator to keep His creation in existence (and that would include Satan) there would be no existence.
Is it true that the sound when we breathe is the name of God ?
 
Is it true that the sound when we breathe is the name of God ?
I've heard it said that the 5th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet is Hey and that gentle exhalation of heh or hey stands for the breath of God. That same 5th letter is the number 5 which stands for Grace in the meaning of the numbers in Hebrew.

Sarai became Sarah when that H of Hey landed in her name. As did Abram become Abraham.

Here is what Hebrew for Christians site says; The Letter Hey - it's a long article, and you'll need to scroll down a bit to the Advanced Information to get there.

But Got Questions has a different take: www.gotquestions.org/breathe-Yahweh.html and they rightly point out that a lot of this information comes from Jewish mystics, not from the actual Bible.

However even the jots and tittles are important because in Matt 5:18 Jesus says this referencing the Hebrew OT.

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

A jot is the Yod or smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, the 10th letter and the Tittle is a tiny mark on the horns of some of the letters that makes very similar letters into something different. These are the smallest marks possible, yet Jesus says even those small things are important.

I think God gave that 5th letter that does stand for breath, and is in JHWH twice, the meaning it has regardless of Jewish mystics.
 
I've heard it said that the 5th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet is Hey and that gentle exhalation of heh or hey stands for the breath of God. That same 5th letter is the number 5 which stands for Grace in the meaning of the numbers in Hebrew.

Sarai became Sarah when that H of Hey landed in her name. As did Abram become Abraham.

Here is what Hebrew for Christians site says; The Letter Hey - it's a long article, and you'll need to scroll down a bit to the Advanced Information to get there.

But Got Questions has a different take: www.gotquestions.org/breathe-Yahweh.html and they rightly point out that a lot of this information comes from Jewish mystics, not from the actual Bible.

However even the jots and tittles are important because in Matt 5:18 Jesus says this referencing the Hebrew OT.

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

A jot is the Yod or smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, the 10th letter and the Tittle is a tiny mark on the horns of some of the letters that makes very similar letters into something different. These are the smallest marks possible, yet Jesus says even those small things are important.

I think God gave that 5th letter that does stand for breath, and is in JHWH twice, the meaning it has regardless of Jewish mystics.
Awesome !! Thanks for that Margery
 
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