Day 81

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 1.

“God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power, and wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all Creatures, and things,...”

Scripture Lookup

Hebrews 1:3

Job 38:11

Isaiah 46:10,11

Psalm 135:6.

Reflection

Providence reminds us that God is intimately involved with His creation. What is providence? Providence, as Zacharias Ursinus states in his Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism,

…is the eternal, most free, immutable, wise, just and good counsel of God, according to which he effects all good things in his creatures; permits also evil things to be done, and directs all, both good and evil, to his own glory and the salvation of his people.

Look at all the actions God performs in these works of providence:

• He upholds all creatures and things. By the word of His power everything is sustained.
• He directs all creatures and things. The severity or mildness of a season, the rise to power of rulers and the tumbling of others, all are directed by God.
• He disposes all creatures and things. This doesn’t mean He throws them out; rather, God arranges or positions His creation to fulfill His decree.
• He governs all creatures and things. The Lord God reigns and rules over His creation!

If you needed more reasons to trust the Lord besides His word, look to His providence. “In Him we live and move and have our being..” (Acts 17:28) He is the good Creator who works these things. We have no reason to doubt Him!

And, indeed, it were not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence. -John Flavel

Questions to Consider

• How does God’s providence affect you?