The NIV 365 Day Devotional

God the Creator and Sustainer

Throughout Hebrews, Jesus is described as “superior” or “greater.” Jesus is superior to the angels in Hebrews 1:4, greater than Moses in Hebrews 3:3, better than the tabernacle in Hebrews 9:11. Jesus is simply “superior” or “greater.”

As part of this high vision of Christ, the author describes the power of Jesus to keep the universe going. Christ is “sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Heb 1:3). The word for “sustain” is the Greek word phero, the same word used in Luke 5:18 to describe the friends of a paralyzed man “carrying” him to Jesus to be healed. Similarly, phero is used in 2 Timothy 4:13 when Paul asks Luke to “bring” Paul’s cloak and books to him in prison.

The image of “sustaining” here is that of God “carrying” all things by his powerful word. This image echoes the creation narrative, where God is depicted as creating, not out of coercion, violence or victory, but by the sheer power of his word. Some physicists have argued that matter in its most basic form is merely a set of sound vibrations—a fascinating connection to God’s word carrying all things.

Furthermore, God sustains “all things” (Gr. ta panta in Heb 1:3). God sustains human history with its flaws and peaks. God sustains all created beings; he holds together the very atomic particles that are the building blocks of the universe.

The lesson here is paradigm-shifting for the Christian. Not one thing exists in the universe without God’s ongoing allowance and generosity to sustain it. And that same power gives life to all of creation. God not only created everything in the beginning; he also continues to keep it all together and working. The same God who creates is the one who sustains.

Taken from the NIV Upside-Down Kingdom Bible.