Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "sustained" in the Bible often refers to the divine support and provision that God offers to His people. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's faithfulness and care for His creation.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the idea of being sustained is frequently associated with God's provision of physical needs. For instance, in the wilderness, God sustained the Israelites by providing manna from heaven.
Exodus 16:35 states, "The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan." This miraculous provision underscores God's ability to sustain His people even in the most challenging circumstances.
The Psalms often reflect on God's sustaining power.
Psalm 3:5 declares, "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me." Here, the psalmist acknowledges God's role in providing safety and rest, emphasizing trust in God's ongoing support.
Another significant passage is found in
Isaiah 46:4 , where God reassures His people of His enduring care: "Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; I will bear you and I will deliver you." This verse highlights God's commitment to sustaining His people throughout their lives.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the theme of being sustained is often linked to spiritual nourishment and strength. Jesus Christ, as the Bread of Life, is central to this understanding. In
John 6:35 , Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This statement points to the spiritual sustenance that Jesus provides, fulfilling the deepest needs of the human soul.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of God's sustaining grace in his letters. In
2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts the Lord's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." This assurance of divine grace highlights how believers are sustained through trials and weaknesses by God's power.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of being sustained by God is foundational to understanding His nature as a provider and protector. It reflects His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omnibenevolence. God's sustaining power is not limited to physical needs but extends to emotional, spiritual, and relational aspects of life.
The sustaining work of God is also evident in the life of the Church. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's provision and strength as they navigate the challenges of life.
Philippians 4:19 assures, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise reinforces the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, providing for their needs in accordance with His will.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, understanding and experiencing God's sustaining power can lead to a deeper trust and reliance on Him. It encourages a life of faith, knowing that God is both willing and able to support His children in every circumstance. This assurance can bring peace and confidence, even in times of uncertainty or difficulty.
In prayer and worship, Christians often express gratitude for God's sustaining presence, acknowledging His role in their lives and seeking His continued guidance and provision. This ongoing relationship with God is central to the Christian faith, as believers are called to live in dependence on Him, trusting in His unfailing love and care.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Sustain.
2. (a.) Held up to a certain pitch, degree, or level; uniform; as, sustained passion; a sustained style of writing; a sustained note in music.
Greek
2222. zoe -- life... 2222 -- (physical and spiritual). life (2222 ), throughout the universe,
is -- ie it always (only) comes from and is
sustained by .
...979. bios -- life, living
... 979 () is "the period or duration of . . in a secondary sense, the by which
life issustained; and thirdly, the in which that life is spent" (R...
Strong's Hebrew
3562. Konanyahu -- "Yah hassustained," two Levites... 3561, 3562. Konanyahu. 3563 . "Yah has
sustained," two Levites. Transliteration:
Konanyahu Phonetic Spelling: (ko-nan-yaw'-hoo) Short Definition: Conaniah.
...5565. Semakyahu -- "Yah hassustained," a Korahite
... 5564, 5565. Semakyahu. 5566 . "Yah hassustained," a Korahite. Transliteration:
Semakyahu Phonetic Spelling: (sem-ak-yaw'-hoo) Short Definition: Semachiah....
3253. Yismakyahu -- "Yah hassustained," a Korahite
... 3252, 3253. Yismakyahu. 3254 . "Yah hassustained," a Korahite. Transliteration:
Yismakyahu Phonetic Spelling: (yis-mak-yaw-hoo') Short Definition: Ismachiah...
3557. kul -- to comprehend, contain
... 1), hold (4), holding (2), maintain (1), provide (4), provided (6), provided them
with sustenance (1), provisioned (1), sustain (3),sustained (1), sustainer (1...
5564. samak -- to lean, lay, rest, support
... holds (1), laid (6), laid siege (1), lay (17), lean (1), leans (3), relied (1),
rested (1), steadfast (1), support (1), sustain (3),sustained (2), sustainer (1...
Library
Of the Mockery which HeSustained at the Hands of Pilate's Cohort...
... Chapter IX."Of the Mockery Which HeSustained at the Hands of Pilate's Cohort, and
of the Harmony Subsisting Among the Three Evangelists Who Report that Scene...
It is Said Then in the Psalms, "I Laid Me Down and Slept, and Rose...
... 30. It is said then in the Psalms, "I laid me down and slept, and rose up again,
because the Lordsustained me." Again, in another place, "Because of the...
Other Objections Considered God's Condescension in the Incarnation...
... Nothing Derogatory to the Divine Being in This Economy. The Divine Majesty Worthily
Sustained by the Almighty Father, Never Visible to Man....
An Objection on the Ease of that Abstinence in which a Man is...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XX. An objection on the ease of
that abstinence in which a man issustained by two biscuits....
God the Father and his Word have Formed all Created Things (Which...
... For indeed the creation could not havesustained Him [on the cross], if He had sent
forth [simply by commission] what was the fruit of ignorance and defect....
The Three Parables of Warning: to the Individual, to the Nation...
... life, from the things which he possesseth.' [4442] In other words, that part of
the things which a man possesseth by which his life issustained, consists not...
Ephesus
... The Author of this spiritual life is unseen, and the exact method by which that
life is imparted andsustained, it is beyond the power of human philosophy to...
Book one in God's Searching Presence, Augustine Undertakes to...
... In a mood ofsustained prayer, he recalls what he can of his infancy, his
learning to speak, and his childhood experiences in school....
The Apocalypse.
... of the New Testament that are classed by Eusebius among the disputed books
(Antilegomena, chap.5.6), the apostolic authorship of this issustained by the...
Constant, Instant, Expectant
... By remembering the promise in prayer hope will besustained, and then joy is sure
to spring from it, for joy is the first-born child of hope....
Thesaurus
Sustained (20 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Held up to a certain pitch, degree, or level; uniform; as,
sustained passion;
a
sustained style of writing; a
sustained note in music.
...Sustain (28 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To allow the prosecution of; to admit as valid; to sanction; to continue;
not to dismiss or abate; as, the courtsustained the action or suit....
Obey (219 Occurrences)
... rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). It was the condition without which no right relation
might besustained to Yahweh. This is most clearly...
Jezebel's (5 Occurrences)
... in Jezebel's cutting off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah taketh a hundred
prophets, and hideth them, fifty men in a cave, and hathsustained them with...
Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... Here on the 13th of the 12th month Adar (March), 161 BC, the Syrianssustained
a crushing defeat, Nicanor himself being the first to fall....
Punishment (417 Occurrences)
... II. Scriptural Support. The doctrine that the punishment of sin is everlasting
issustained by many plain testimonies of Scripture....
Everlasting (192 Occurrences)
... II. Scriptural Support. The doctrine that the punishment of sin is everlasting
issustained by many plain testimonies of Scripture....
Obedience (61 Occurrences)
... rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). It was the condition without which no right relation
might besustained to Yahweh. This is most clearly...
Botany
... No afforestation and no increased cultivation will account for the supplies of water
which must havesustained such a development; and it is only reasonable to...
Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... Theysustained afterwards friendly relations with the Israelites when settled
in Canaan (Judges 4:11, 17-21; 1 Samuel 27:10; 30:29)....
Resources
What is the hidden manna mentioned in Revelation 2:17? | GotQuestions.orgFaith vs. fear - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Qur'an? | GotQuestions.orgSustained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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