Question 11: Providence

Question 11: What are God's works of providence?

Answer: God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.

The work of creation lasted for the first six days of history; the works of providence have lasted every day since. When God rested on the seventh day he did not cease from work entirely, but only from the work of creation (Gen. 2:1-3). As Jesus said, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." (John 5:17) It could not be otherwise; not one atom could remain in place without God's sovereign care. "In him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Col. 1:17) This doctrine can feel invasive - what about our freedom to act? - but the truth is that we would have neither freedom nor actions unless God actively sustained us and ultimately governed all that we are and do.

For the Christian, this is one of the most comforting doctrines we know in this life. When we face evil we are able to say with Joseph, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for God." (Gen. 50:20) Indeed, we can rejoice in the promise that "For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." The doctrine of providence is not an academic exercise. It is a precious and necessary companion on the road of suffering that we walk. God knew this would happen. More than that, God ordained and determined this to happen. Its limits are controlled not by the devil, but by God. And because he foresaw it and ordained it, he is able and willing to keep his promises to be with us, to deliver us, and to bring about his glory and our good in the end.

Have you rejoiced in God's providence today?

Reference: Explanation of the Shorter Catechism by Thomas Vincent