What are God’ s works of providence?
God’ s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful, preserving and governing all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory.
Providence is not merely a place in Rhode Island. I’ve never been to Rhode Island but I have been to providence and it is a wonderful place. It is ruled by a wonderful, benevolent and compassionate Being. Psalm 145:17: “The Lord is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds.”
Since providence is such a wonderful place, we can appreciate Spurgeon’s perspective in this quote:
I don’t think Spurgeon was merely being optimistic as if optimism improves every bad situation. It might, but not in the right way. Instead, I think Spurgeon understood the first rule of living in providence: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36
Living in providence is not optional (Rhode Island is). Enough with the puns already!
Ok. Providentially this is the last of them, today.
God’ s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing. Holy because this “I AM” God is Holy, Holy Holy. Wise because He possesses all understanding. Examine even the most rudimentary of His creation and be astounded at its complexity and wonder. Powerful because it was not by His finger but by His word, merely uttered and spoken which caused every molecule that wasn’t, to immediately exist, out of nothing.
If anyone met the bill to be providentially in control it is Him who the Psalmist declares
“O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions.” “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.”
Psalm 104:24, Psalm 103:199
It might seem that this One who is so Holy, Wise and Powerful, reigning from the heavens, might just have His hands full running everything here on earth; perhaps He might not know or care about my little life. That would not be an appropriate assessment and in fact just the opposite is true. ”Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29–31
So then we are right to take comfort and even more, to take to prayer. If this God of providence bids us come and cares enough to know even the number of the hairs of our head, then perhaps He may have time to listen and respond to our prayers prayed to Him in faith.
Spurgeon once again helps us with encouragement towards prayer,
“Prayer is an essential part of the providence of God, so essential, that you will always find that when God delivers His people, His people have been praying for that deliverance. They tell us that prayer does not affect the Most High, and cannot alter His purposes. We never thought it did; but prayer is a part of the purpose and plan, and a most effective wheel in the machinery of providence.”
Charles H. Spurgeon
These are just some of the wonderful benefits of living in providence. It turns out that even the prayers we pray can’t escape His providence. He. God of providence, always get there first and sets up (declares) the future in advance of our arrival. Our prayers are heard, our hurts are understood by Him who knows just how badly it can be under the curse.
He who knew no sin, knows sin’s curse in our place and He “is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” From His rightful throne He reigns, providentially, powerfully, wisely and in all Holiness until he come again – which will be according to His most sovereign decree, providential plan and all for His glory. Amen.
Leave a Reply