Day 100

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;…“

Scripture Lookup

Deuteronomy 2:30

2 Kings 8:12,13

Reflection

Normally I don’t have much trouble understanding what is meant in the Confession, but this time I admit the language made me pause. What does this phrase mean? God sometimes exposes the wicked and ungodly to things that, as wicked and ungodly people, they use to sin.

Now God does not tempt the wicked. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” (James 1:13) But He does decree events that enable the wicked to further condemn themselves. They are no longer checked by circumstances that would restrain them, so when opportunity to sin appears, they take it.

The immensity of providence, the fine-tuning of every detail for God’s purposes, is awesome and fearful. Even with those who rebel against Him, He is fully in control. Praise Him for His infinite wisdom and justice!

Questions to Consider

• How do you respond to God’s providence concerning the wicked?

Day 99

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…But sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had,…“

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 13:12

Reflection

Wildly prosperous and successful seem to be the wicked’s lot. There are conniving, selfish people out there who lie, cheat, and steal without batting an eye, and their material goods keep growing. Psalm 73 talks about this apparent contradiction to God’s word. Believers struggle; many ungodly do not. What gives?

This flourishing of the unbeliever is not universal, however. Sometimes God chooses to remove some of the common graces He bestowed upon them. Swindlers can lose their wealth to a more devious swindler. Illness and disease strike the ungodly. Arrests and jail time do occur to some lawbreakers.

When tempted to envy the wicked their supposed life of ease and comfort, let us remember that not all ungodly live such glamorous lives. Let us also remember that their end is destruction. How comfortable can such a life be that does not have communion with God?

My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.

Psalm 73: 26-28

Questions to Consider

• Can you think of examples of God withdrawing the gifts of the wicked?

Day 98

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“…from them he not only withholdeth his Grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts;…“

Scripture Lookup

Deuteronomy 29:4

Reflection

When talking to others about Christ, have you ever been frustrated that some people just don’t get it? That what is so clear to us, is nothing but confusion to them? Ever get astonished at the hatred some express towards God?

Since our eyes have been opened to the beauty of the Gospel, we sometimes think that everyone should naturally be able to see how wonderful God is. Or we think that if we just said the right words, created the right atmosphere, gave the ideal sales pitch, then an unbeliever could be persuaded to become a Christian. We forget that it is only the work of the Holy Spirit that can enable an unbeliever to see the truths of the Gospel. He withholds his grace from those who are not His elect. Because there is no grace, they do not believe in Christ. Because there is no grace, their heart remains hardened. There is nothing we can do to make anyone a Christian.

Knowing that God withholds His grace from those who are not His should not cause us to slack in proclaiming the good news though! God knows who are not elect; we do not. Your witness may be the means of bringing a change of heart in an unbeliever! May that hope encourage you to be bold in evangelizing. But may the reality that not all will be His keep you dependent on Him for your efforts.

Questions to Consider

• Have you ever thought that someone would be saved if you just tried harder?

Day 97

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 6.

“As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righteous judge, for former sin does blind and harden;…“

Scripture Lookup

Romans 1;24-26,28, 11:7,8

Reflection

“All things work together for good.” That’s one of those verses that people throw around even if they have no desire to follow Christ. They are comforted by the words, oblivious to what the verse actually says: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, italics added). We saw in Day 96 how God does use all events for the good of His saints. But can all things work together for good to those who do NOT love God?

It is a frightening truth that those who persist in sin might not come to repentance and faith. Continue in your rebellion, and God may leave you in your rebellion. Hardly a statement that sells and appeals, but one that Scripture declares. We are fallen creatures, and the wicked and ungodly will dive even deeper into their depravity. God blinds them to the Gospel, and He hardens their heart. “…and men loved darkness better than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

The Gospel call resounds: repent and believe. Yet we know that not all will heed it. For those who see fit to refuse God, all things do not work for their good. God is a righteous judge, and He has decreed it. This is tragic to realize, but it is just. “And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.” (Romans 2:2)

Questions to Consider

• Do you struggle with the idea that God blinds and hardens some people?