The term "upheld" in the Bible often conveys the idea of being supported, sustained, or maintained by God's power and grace. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's providence and His active role in the lives of His people. Throughout Scripture, the notion of being upheld by God is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, emphasizing His faithfulness and strength.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the imagery of being upheld is frequently associated with God's protective and sustaining hand. One of the most notable references is found in the Psalms, where the psalmist expresses confidence in God's support. Psalm 37:24 states, "Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand." This verse highlights the assurance that even in times of stumbling or difficulty, God is present to uphold and stabilize His people.

Isaiah also speaks of God's sustaining power. In Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people with the words, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Here, the promise of being upheld is linked to God's righteousness and His commitment to His covenant people.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of being upheld is often connected to the sustaining grace of God through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently alludes to the strength and support believers receive from God. In Romans 14:4, Paul writes, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." This passage underscores the idea that it is God who upholds and enables believers to stand firm in their faith.

The writer of Hebrews also touches on this theme, emphasizing the sustaining power of Christ. Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." This verse not only affirms Christ's divine nature but also His active role in sustaining the universe and, by extension, His people.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of being upheld by God is integral to understanding His sovereignty and care. It reflects the belief that God is not distant or detached but is intimately involved in the lives of His creation. This assurance of divine support is foundational to the Christian faith, providing believers with confidence in God's unchanging nature and His promises.

The idea of being upheld also speaks to the perseverance of the saints, a doctrine that asserts that those who are truly in Christ will be preserved by God's power. This is not due to human effort but because of God's sustaining grace, which ensures that believers remain steadfast in their faith.

Practical Application

For believers, the assurance of being upheld by God offers comfort in times of trial and uncertainty. It encourages reliance on God's strength rather than one's own abilities. In prayer and daily life, Christians are reminded to seek God's support, trusting that He will provide the necessary strength to endure challenges and fulfill His purposes.

In summary, the biblical concept of being upheld is a profound reminder of God's unwavering support and faithfulness. It calls believers to trust in His sustaining power and to find peace in the knowledge that they are securely held by His righteous right hand.(v.) imp. & p. p. of Uphold.5564. samak -- to lean, lay, rest, support
... lay (17), lean (1), leans (3), relied (1), rested (1), steadfast (1), support (1),
sustain (3), sustained (2), sustainer (1), sustains (3), upheld (4), uphold ...
/hebrew/5564.htm - 6k

3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... sent (2), set (2), set* (1), spread (3), spreads (1), spring (1), started (1), surely
come (1), surely go (1), take (6), taken (1), took (9), upheld (1), went ...
/hebrew/3318.htm - 8k

The Arians, under the Impression that the Divine Meletius Upheld ...
... Book IV. Chapter XXVIII."The Arians, under the Impression that the divine Meletius
upheld their Sentiments, translate him from Sebaste to Antioch. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xxviii the arians under the.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). What upheld Daniel
in the lion's den? ... He is upheld by the arms of the Almighty. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

Sometimes I Should be Alone
... What also upheld the Earth (because it was heavy) and kept it from falling;
whether pillars, or dark waters? And if any of these ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/17 sometimes i should be.htm

Marcus of Mactaris Said: "It is not to be Wondered at if Heretics. ...
... opinion." For those who entertained a different opinion were the very persons whom
Marcus calls traitors to the truth because they upheld heretics, as he ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 2 2 marcus.htm

Melanchthon -- the Safety of the virtuous
... and the Holy Ghost"to Thee, the wise, good, true, righteous, compassionate, pure,
gracious God, we render thanks that Thou hast hitherto upheld the Church in ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/melanchthon the safety of.htm

In Reference to Daniel My Answer Will be that I did not Say that ...
... prophet. But I wished to show what was the opinion upheld by the Jews; and
what were the arguments on which they relied for its proof. ...
/.../33 in reference to daniel.htm

Letter Lxxv. To Theodora.
... waterless land, so have I appeared unto thee in the sanctuary." [2274] Thus when
we have to face the hard and cruel necessity of death, we are upheld by this ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxv to theodora.htm

Psalm CXVIII.
... judgeth them. 7. "I have been driven on like a heap of sand, so that I
was falling, but the Lord upheld me" (ver.13). For though ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxviii.htm

Paul's Last Letter
... able to turn him aside. His faith, made strong by effort and pure by sacrifice,
upheld and strengthened him. "Thou therefore, my son ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 49 pauls last letter.htm

The Uproar in Ephesus.
... The design of his undertaking was to overthrow the empire which the adversary of
God had established over the human race, and which was upheld by ignorance and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiii the uproar in.htm

Upheld (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Upheld (15 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Job 4:4 Thy words have
upheld him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. ...
/u/upheld.htm - 10k

Uphold (30 Occurrences)
... 5 I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold:
therefore my own arm brought salvation to me; and my wrath, it upheld me. ...
/u/uphold.htm - 14k

Wondered (45 Occurrences)
... He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore
his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it upheld him. ...
/w/wondered.htm - 19k

Law (670 Occurrences)
... lo The Term "Law" Austin's Definition of Law I. LAW IN THE GOSPELS 1. The Law in
the Teaching of Christ (1) Authority of the Law Upheld in the Sermon on the ...
/l/law.htm - 101k

Upholds (12 Occurrences)
... He brings the wicked down to the ground. (WEB). Proverbs 20:28 Mercy and truth
preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy. (See NAS). ...
/u/upholds.htm - 9k

Upheaved (1 Occurrence)

/u/upheaved.htm - 6k

Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... in 1 Chronicles 3:16 Jeremiah 24:1; yekhonyah, "Yahweh will be steadfast," and
"Coniah" in Jeremiah 22:24, 28; konyahu, "Yahweh has upheld him"; 'Ioakeim): A ...
/j/jehoiachin.htm - 19k

Listened (120 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:29 And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to
him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism. ...
/l/listened.htm - 36k

Including (90 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:29 And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to
him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism. ...
/i/including.htm - 33k

Intercessor (2 Occurrences)
... He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore
his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it upheld him. ...
/i/intercessor.htm - 7k

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