The Whole World in His Hands

My times are in Your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
PSALM 31:15
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The Whole World in His Hands
The Holy Spirit reminds us . . . that we should learn the doctrine of creation correctly, namely, that all things are in God's hand, and that we should accustom and encourage ourselves to confident trust in our Creator, which, to be sure, is still very small and weak in us. For if we firmly concluded that God is our Creator, we would certainly believe that He has heaven and earth in His hands and all things which are contained by these. To be sure, if we saw the world shattered and falling into ruin with all the elements and hanging over our necks, we would nevertheless say: "Even in falling you will not fall unless God wills it." Even if it were hanging over our head, we would say: "You will do no harm and not overwhelm me. And even if it seems good to God that I should be overwhelmed by your huge mass, let what is good in the Lord's eyes be done. My times are in His hands (cf. Psalm 31:15). But if it seems otherwise, I shall scoff at you, O heaven and earth, together with the 'Turks and Papists and all other ragings of the whole world."

From Lectures on Genesis (Luther's Works 6:242-43)
April 17

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