Day 85

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 2.

“... so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence;…”

Scripture Lookup

Proverbs 16:33.

Reflection

“Befalls” is a word not often used in common conversation. You may recognize it from the hymn “Be Thou My vision”: “Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”  Another hymn also uses the word befall: “For I know whate’er befall me Jesus doeth all things well.”

Befall means “to happen”. As the Confession keeps reminding us, there is nothing that happens to anyone without God’s providence. This can be difficult to acknowledge. So quick are we to proclaim that we’re “#blessed” when all is well according to our standards. How about when you’re troubled? When the future does not seem so certain? Are we willing to be resigned to trust in His wisdom in ordering all things?

When all seems to be going smoothly is the time to remind ourselves that no matter what, the Lord is our Ruler who does all things well. For when the trials come, and emotions rise up and threaten to overwhelm us, it is these truths previously stored away that will come to mind. In prosperity or poverty, all that befalls us is not by chance.

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

-Fanny Crosby

Questions to Consider

• Do you agree that “whate’er befalls me Jesus doeth all things well”?