From Discipleship Weekly
(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)
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A Word from Our Sponsor
"So, do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." -- Luke 12:39-32 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 2- Of Man's Redemption Week 10 Of God the Father 27. Q. What do you understand by the providence of God? A. The almighty and ever-present power of God whereby he still upholds, as it were by his own hand, heaven and earth together with all creatures, and rules in such a way that leaves and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and unfruitful years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, and everything else, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand. [Prov. 16:33; 22:2;
Jer. 5:24; 23:23-24;
Matt. 10:29;
John 9:3;
Acts 14:15-17;17:24-28;
Heb. 1:3]
28. Q. What advantage comes from acknowledging God's creation and providence? A. We learn that we are to be patient in adversity, grateful in the midst of blessing, and to trust our faithful God and Father for the future, assured that no creature shall separate us from his love, since all creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they cannot even move. [Deut. 8:10;
Job 1:12; 21-22; 2:6;
Ps. 39:10; 55:22;
Prov. 21:1;
Acts 17:24-28;
Rom. 5:3-5; 8:38-39;
I Thess. 5:18;
James 1:3]
Suggestions for discussion and review:
Which of the following describe what God's providence is? 1. God is in control of everything. 2. God's control is limited to those who love him. 3. God is the origin and cause of all the bad things that happen. 4. God promises not to let really bad things happen to those he loves. 5. Christians don't have to be concerned about the major problems of the world (e.g., poverty, war, disease, crime). 6. We will always know the reason behind tragic events. 7. All things-good or bad--are used by God for our ultimate good. The God of Christians is not. . . merely a God who exercises His providence over the life and fortunes of men, to bestow on those who worship Him a long and happy life. . . .[He] is a God of love and of comfort, a God who fills the soul and heart of those whom He possesses, a God who makes them conscious of their inward wretchedness, and His infinite mercy, who unites Himself to their inmost soul, who fills it with humility and joy, with confidence and love, who renders them incapable of any other end than Himself. -- Blaise Pascal |