Definition and Overview:
Sustaining, in a biblical context, refers to the act of upholding, supporting, and maintaining life and creation. It is a divine attribute often ascribed to God, who is seen as the ultimate sustainer of all things. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's providence and His continuous involvement in the world.

Biblical References:

1. God as the Sustainer of Creation:
The Bible frequently emphasizes God's role in sustaining the universe. In Colossians 1:17, it is written, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights the belief that Christ is central to the cohesion and maintenance of the cosmos. Similarly, Hebrews 1:3 states, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." These verses underscore the idea that God's sustaining power is active and ongoing.

2. Sustaining Life:
God's provision for life is a recurring theme in Scripture. In Psalm 54:4, the psalmist declares, "Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul." This reflects the personal aspect of God's sustaining power, providing strength and support to individuals. Additionally, in Acts 17:28, Paul proclaims, "For in Him we live and move and have our being," indicating that human existence is entirely dependent on God's sustaining presence.

3. Sustaining through Providence:
God's providential care is evident in His provision for the needs of His creation. Matthew 6:26 illustrates this with Jesus' teaching: "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" This passage reassures believers of God's attentive care and His ability to sustain them through life's necessities.

4. Sustaining through Trials:
The sustaining power of God is also evident in times of difficulty and trial. Isaiah 41:10 offers comfort with the words, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This promise of divine support is a source of encouragement for believers facing challenges.

5. Sustaining through Spiritual Nourishment:
Spiritual sustenance is another dimension of God's sustaining work. 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 metaphorical language points to the spiritual nourishment and sustenance that Christ provides to believers, ensuring their spiritual vitality and growth.

Theological Implications:
The concept of sustaining is integral to understanding God's relationship with His creation. It affirms God's omnipotence and His intimate involvement in the world. The sustaining power of God assures believers of His constant presence and care, providing both physical and spiritual support. This understanding encourages trust and reliance on God, recognizing Him as the source of all life and strength.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sustain.5162. trophos -- a nurse
... Cognate: 5162 (from 5142 , "to improve by giving and care") -- properly, a
care-giver, sustaining someone by and giving like a nurse (used only in 1 Thes 2: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5162.htm - 6k8063. semikah -- perhaps rug, thick coverlet
... mantle. From camak; a run (as sustaining the Oriental sitter) -- mantle. see HEBREW
camak. 8062, 8063. semikah. 8064 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8063.htm - 6k

God's Sustaining Presence.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 473. " God's sustaining Presence. 473. LM Bowring. God's
sustaining Presence. 1 Father and friend, thy light ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/473 gods sustaining presence.htm

That the Union of Our Will with the Good-Pleasure of God Takes ...
... The Stoics, especially good Epictetus, placed all their philosophy in abstaining
and sustaining, bearing and forbearing; in abstaining from and forbearing ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that the union.htm

'Have Ye Not? Hast Thou Not?'
... God's creative and sustaining power is further set forth by that great image of
His 'stretching out the heavens as a curtain, and spreading them out as a tent ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/have ye not hast thou.htm

Unfailing Stabs and Fainting Men
... suggested: that between unfailing stars, and men that faint; that between the unwearied
God and wearied men; and that between the sustaining power that is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/unfailing stabs and fainting men.htm

'It is the Lord!'
... We believe that as no being comes into existence without His creative power,
so none continues to exist without His sustaining energy. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/it is the lord.htm

The Disciples' Return.
... Here we have to do only with sustaining and supporting grace. ... sustaining grace he
never could have dreamed of comes along with it. He rises above his trial. ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/xxiii the disciples return.htm

Concerning Life.
... and again, not immortal, because not from themselves have they their immortality
and eternal life; but from the vivifying Cause forming and sustaining all life ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput vi concerning life.htm

Sanctification and Justification (Continued).
... creation did not modify His Being; but His righteousness could not be displayed
before creation, because right presupposes two beings sustaining the jural ...
/.../the work of the holy spirit/iv sanctification and justification continued.htm

How a Soul in Charity Makes Progress in It.
... and revives her, that she begins to stand and walk very quietly with him; but in
no sort without his help, for he goes assisting and sustaining her by her arm ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii how a soul.htm

The Number of Good Things in those Natures which Manich??us Places ...
... possessed the form and quality of water, and also the agreement of the members of
the inhabitants swimming in the waters, their life sustaining and directing ...
/.../chapter 30 name number of.htm

Sustaining (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sustaining (3 Occurrences). ... Psalms 37:17 For the arms of
the wicked are shivered, And Jehovah is sustaining the righteous. (YLT). ...
/s/sustaining.htm - 7k

Sustains (11 Occurrences)
... Your gentleness has made me great. (WEB NIV). Psalms 37:17 For the arms of the wicked
are shivered, And Jehovah is sustaining the righteous. (See NAS). ...
/s/sustains.htm - 9k

Life (6001 Occurrences)
... 1, etc.). (6) In a few instances it is used synonymously with the means
of sustaining life (Deuteronomy 24:6 Proverbs 27:27). (7 ...
/l/life.htm - 51k

Rod (138 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A member used in tension, as for sustaining a suspended weight, or in tension
and compression, as for transmitting reciprocating motion, etc.; a ...
/r/rod.htm - 42k

Endurance (31 Occurrences)
... make our boast in you in the assemblies of God for your endurance and faith in all
your persecutions and tribulations, which ye are sustaining; (DBY YLT). ...
/e/endurance.htm - 15k

Desert (322 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a population, but has been left
unoccupied and uncultivated; a wilderness; a solitary place. ...
/d/desert.htm - 46k

Dependent (35 Occurrences)
... support; not able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform anything, without the
will, power, or aid of something else; not self-sustaining; contingent or ...
/d/dependent.htm - 17k

Baalbec
... After sustaining several sieges under the Moslems and others, it was finally destroyed
by an earthquake in 1759. Its ruins are of great extent. ...
/b/baalbec.htm - 7k

Asleep (50 Occurrences)
... In the presence of death no truth has been so sustaining to Christian faith
as this. It is the distinct product of Christ's resurrection. ...
/a/asleep.htm - 23k

Agent (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Acting; -- opposed to patient, or sustaining,
action. 2. (n.) One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor. ...
/a/agent.htm - 8k

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