He’s Got the Whole World

I remember being so much younger and singing the children’s song “He’s God the Whole World In His Hands.” I was convinced, then, that it was true and believed in a big God who knew all and was powerful enough to take care of me come what may. I remember as though it were yesterday, needing to believe that my meager efforts alone did not decide my fate. It was the greatest of comforts, then, to believe that no matter how dark things became there would always be a dawn. I was comforted, then, to know He held the whole world in His hands—and it comforts me now.

He’s got the whole world in His mighty, loving hands. He’s got you and me brother, you and me sister in His hands. He’s got the winds and the rains in His hands. He’s got the sun and the moon, the land and the sea, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, and so surely, surely He’s got you and me in His hands. We can call this providence, sovereignty or omnipotence, but the Bible calls it love. He cups His hands and the storms outside slip through as a soft, soothing breeze. He speaks and the waves are calmed. He speaks and we are calmed.

He reminds us, as He did His disciples, that He has not called us for destruction but for life. When Christ told them, “let us go to the other side,” that is what He meant. No matter how bad things looked there was no need to fear drowning. They were and we are assured of reaching the other side. The storms can only threaten not destroy us. The water will not cover us. He has the whole world in His hands and He has every part of our lives in His hands.

There was a time when believing He was in ultimate control was much easier. There was a time when I could simply trust Him but now — I have so much control. In fact I have so much control that I fear daily I will lose it all. My strength has brought me no peace. If you feel as I do, let us become as we once were. Let us now admit that we have gained only responsibilities not control. Let us admit that it is His hands and His care we need.

Oh, I know, I suffer the same frailty as you, the same anger, the same shame and frustration, the same failures. I too strive to make it all right, to live at peace, and sometimes when I cannot—I cry. But, as He has the itsy-bitsy baby in His hands He also has you and me in His hands—brother, sister. If I know nothing else, if I trust nothing else, I know the goodness and kindness of God; I trust the power and wisdom of God. Sing with me. “He’s got the whole world, in His hands…” Sing till once again you believe it so.

Job 38-40, Mark 4:35, Matt. 8:26

Copyright©2010 Hudson Russell Davis