He's got the whole world in His hands

By Noralyn O. Dudt

THE WHOLE  WORLD is in HIS HANDS

HE's got the whole world in His hands (4×)

He's got the wind and rain in His hands (4×)

He's got the tiny little baby in His hands  (4×)

He's got you brother and me in His hands  (4x)

He's got you sister and me in His hands. (4×)

He's got the whole world in His hands. (4×)

While those lines may look too simple and  "unimpressive" to some, they do come alive when sung—the tune so lively that singers—faces beaming and eyes gleaming—can’t help but clap their hands and dance.

This  beloved Christian hymn that arose from traditional African-American spiritual first published in 1927 became an international pop hit in 1957-58 in a recording by English singer Laurie London. The variations in both text and tune praise the dominion of God over all things, comforting our anxieties from things that are out of our control. It is especially popular with families and Sunday School classes to teach children about God's providence as the loving creator and ruler of the earth.

"Clap your hands, all you nations, shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth." (Psalms 47:1-2)

Verses from the Psalms that exude  joy and confidence in God's protective arms, abound.

"God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne."

.....for the kings of the earth belong to God."

The text describes God's ownership of His creation—“the earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded the seas and established it upon the waters." (Psalms 24:1-2)

 "The Lord reigns." The Lord rules...the Lord is in charge...He is on the throne....Though the world might seem like it's falling apart due to our own making and doing, it's so comforting to know that God has not abandoned us. Through wars, famines, and other cataclysmic events, we see God's hands guiding us through,  and leading us out of the horrors and chaos  that we ourselves have created.

This   lively tune is lodged in my brain  that  I find myself humming it now and then.  As the world order is  looking  like it's being turned upside down, I find it comforting when I can belt  out "He's got the whole world in his hands." It is reassuring to know  that the world will go on: the sun will continue to rise in the morning and to set in the evening. Some months can be drier than usual, but the rain and the snow never fail to appear and shower the earth with the water that humanity needs to survive.  The leaves fall but new ones come forth in the Spring. While the elderly are dying, babies are being born.

"The heavens will continue to declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims its maker's handiwork" so proclaims  the psalmist  in Psalms 19.

"He's got the tiny little baby in His hands. He's got you and me in His hands."

In Psalms 8:3-6, the Psalmist declares:

"When I consider your heavens,  the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the Son of man that you care for him.

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet."

What amazing love is to be "crowned with glory and honor" by the One who has "set the moon and the stars in place!" It's beyond all thought and fantasy, if I may borrow Thomas a' Kempis text from the Lutheran Book of Worship.

God's loving care was clearly demonstrated 2,000 years ago when He left his heavenly abode, put aside  his crown,  took our "mortal form," and wore the "robe of human frame."  And to affirm  His faithful and undying love, He was "obedient unto death—even the death on a  cross."

We can rejoice....even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.... because He's got the whole world 🌎  in His Hands. As the hymn goes, "morning by morning new mercies we see."

 

Noralyn Onto Dudt never ceases to be amazed at the depth of God's faithfulness, His steadfastness, unwavering commitment to His promises, and His constant presence in her life.