Day 95

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 5.

“The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes, leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruptions of their own heart, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close, and constant dependence for their support, upon himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends. “

Scripture Lookup

2 Chronicles 32:25,26,31

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Reflection

There are times when God allows various temptations to cross our path. We struggle with sin and we fall, time and time again. Frustrated and ashamed, we wonder “Why aren’t things changing?”

There are a couple reasons that the Confession lists. One is that God is chastising us for our former sins. “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines” (Hebrews 12:6). While unpleasant, we know that it is just. Another reason He leaves us to manifold temptations to discover the hidden strength of the corruption of our hearts. How often do we justify our motives for sin? “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Out of such difficult seasons, though, comes blessing. For through them we are humbled, and we grow closer and more dependent on God. John Flavel wrote, “And surely a man is never nearer the mercy he desires, or the deliverance he expects…as when his soul is brought into a submissive attitude.” Since we know God is most wise, we can trust Him to determine what is best for us. Since we know He is most righteous, we can run to Him for forgiveness, and He will cleanse us. Since we know He is most gracious, we can seek His aid in mortifying the flesh. To have such a deeper communion with God is a wonderful gift for us who do not deserve it.

Questions to Consider

• Do you see the providence of God in your struggle with sin?

Day 90

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 3.

“... and against them at his pleasure.“

Scripture Lookup

Daniel 3:27.

Reflection

In God’s ordinary providence He uses means to accomplish His decree.  However, He is not limited by how means usually work. Let’s explore how God is free to work against means.

When the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem and overtook it, they captured and brought many Israelites to their country. Among them were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. You might recognize them by the names given to them: Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-nego. These Hebrews were assigned to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court and eventually were promoted to oversee the province of Babylon.

Proudly the king fashioned a tall golden image that was erected on a plain in Babylon. Every government official was to be present at the dedication. As part of the ceremony, all were commanded to demonstrate worship to the image at a certain time.  Disobedience was more than just a question of losing one’s powerful position; anyone who withheld homage would be thrown immediately into a blazing hot furnace. Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-nego refused to bow. Furious, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the heat to be turned up, and commanded his soldiers to cast the Israelites into the furnace.

Fire has a certain function. It burns. It consumes what it touches and leaves ash in its wake. Yet God worked against the ordinary means of the raging fire in that furnace:

…the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men, nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell or fire even come upon them.

-Daniel 3:27

The three men were saved. That is awesome in itself, and that is where many Sunday School lessons stop. But wait! Look at verse 28:

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve and worship any god except their own God.”

God preserves and governs all His creatures and their actions for His own glory. No matter the circumstance surrounding us, we can know that He is free to use the means available to glorify Himself, and He is free to work against the means to glorify Himself. Whatever our future brings, we Christians can rest in His providential care.

Questions to Consider

• Is it hard to believe that God can work against means?

Day 88

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 3.

“... yet is free to work, without,…“

Scripture Lookup

Hosea 1:7

Reflection

In God’s ordinary providence He uses means to accomplish His decree.  However, it does not mean that He must use means all the time. God is not dependent upon any thing or creature He has made; He is most free to work His providence without the use of means.

Our Scripture reading gives an example of God working without means. “But I…will deliver them by the LORD their God, and will not deliver them by bow, sword, battle, horses, or horsemen.” What is the normal way to be rescued? Isn’t it to have a great battle with large armies and mighty weapons? Yet we see times where God delivers without any of those things. In 2 Kings 19, the Lord defeated a whole army in one night without using a single soldier or weapon.

Remind yourself, then, that while there are normal ways of providence being fulfilled, they are not the only means God has at His disposal. He can act without them! Thomas Boston reminds us: “Do not despair if there be no means, for God can work without them, as well as with them…” While sometimes our troubled selves may not see how God can accomplish His will, we can know that He does accomplish it, no matter the circumstances.

Questions to Consider

• Is it hard to believe that God can work without means?

Day 87

Of Divine Providence

Chapter 5, Paragraph 3.

“God, in his ordinary Providence maketh use of means;...“

Scripture Lookup

Acts 27:31, 44.

Isa. 55:10, 11.

Reflection

Probability and statistics was the most interesting math class I ever took. While many of my fellow classmates struggled in confusion over graphs and outliers, I, who had never been mathematically inclined, understood what to look for. To be able to accurately predict an outcome based on data, there had to be results that were more likely to occur. What could be considered dry and boring became fascinating.

We see this with God’s providence as well. Ordinarily, God uses means to carry out His decree. What are means? The Free Dictionary defines means as “A method, a course of action, or an instrument by which an act can be accomplished or an end achieved.” Since God has created a world that runs logically, it makes sense that most of the time certain actions produce certain outcomes.  If we run our car into a building, we can rightly conclude that our car will most likely be damaged. Flip a coin, and it will most likely land on heads or tails.

Knowing God ordinarily uses means keeps us from lethargy. While God could provide for us without us lifting a finger, He ordinarily provides by having us work. To say “If the Lord wills, this will happen,” but not use that which we know usually produces the result we seek is foolishness. This applies to our spiritual lives as well. God uses the means of grace to aid the Christian in holiness. If you wish to grow in godliness, but never pray or attend a worship service, then you disregard the very means that God provides for your benefit! So while the use of means may be part of “ordinary providence”, there is nothing dull about how God uses His means to accomplish His will.

Questions to Consider

• Have you been disregarding God’s ordinary providence?