In His Hands - Pastor's pen for 24th August 2025

High tide at Campbell's Bay

The Psalmist, singing of the greatness of God, proclaims; "In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed." (Psalm 95: 4-5) Interestingly, in John chapter 3, the author places all things in Jesus' hands; "The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands." (v35)

We know that the author (who we call 'the evangelist') has been building a case as the reader journeys through the gospel - building a case that Jesus is Messiah, God's only Son. 'All Things' seems like quite a broad category to me, and at face value appears to be everything on earth and in heaven. All things belong in the hands of Jesus.

Why then do I hang onto so many things that I might otherwise give to God? The biblical answer might be that this is the human condition, the origins of which we find way back in Genesis 3, whereby the man and the woman are tempted to seek autonomy from God in the garden, to be the authors of their own destiny.

I find as I live the Christian life, God reveals more things that I should give back to Jesus. I think I know how to proceed, I may even have a cunning plan. In reality, all the stuff of life goes better with Jesus; relationships, family, career, recreation - everything. May we know His shalom as we learn to place everything 'in his hands.'