Steam, Sun and Sparrows

I look down at my coffee mug that’s sitting quietly in the sunlight. This day is beautiful. There’s something about springtime that stirs life, hope and admiration for silence, simplicity and sobering peacefulness in me. I think it does for a lot of people – the sunlight mixed with peace spurs us into jubilance. Looking at this sunbathed mug of coffee I think of the letter to the Hebrews and the author’s words in his grandeur opening statement - “long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

I’m listening for the word of the Son as the Word of God is spread before me. Speak, O Lord. These are “these last days”, and I am seeking. How wonderful are God’s decrees. For the first time I think I understand what that means – though dimly. God speaks His word of power and the universe is upheld. Think of the first decree written in the Bible – “let there be light” and there was light. And I am sitting here in the proof of God’s wonderfully powerful decree to create and sustain!

The sun. The epicenter of our solar system created by God, the Epicenter of all. Not only did He create but also He controls. When Joshua needed more time of sunlight in the battle of Gibeon he pleaded with God, “Sun, stand still” and the sun stood still. “The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man.” The cosmos cowers and capitulates to the control of Christ. To the word of His power. Oh what an awesome God is ours! Awesome in His love and mercy that He hears our depravity and responds with grace. Responds with Jesus faithfully dying on the cross for our unfaithfulness and sin. His lashes for ours. How mighty and wonderful are His decrees!

So I look down at this cup of coffee. The steam spinning and waltzing with the air and sunlight on the black dance floor of my coffee - floating transparently into nothingness. This short-lived steam is completely controlled and upheld by my Saviour and King. My fear is quenched as my longing ears hear the words of the Son. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”