Q11. What are God’s works of Providence?

Q11. 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, and all their actions.

We have seen God has created this world, creating men and women as the pinnacle of creation to govern it.

What this question on God’s providence teaches us is that God is not an absentee landlord. He is not a watchmaker who has wound up his watch and it can be left alone. He is not a coach who, once the players cross the while lines onto the pitch, can do nothing to effect the match.

God preserves and governs all things, all people and all creatures. There is no one and no thing outside of his gracious control. For the Christian this is not a threat, but a source of joy and great comfort. There is no situation we find ourselves in over which God is not Lord over. It does not make every situation easy; there are great questions and mysteries that remain unresolved in life. Yet we know even they do not come into our lives by mistake or bad luck.

God’s purposes and plans reflect who he is : they are holy and wise and powerful just like he is, and so we trust and rest in his providence.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works (Psalm 145:17).

What wonders shine
In its profound display
Of God’s design:
It guards the dust of earth,
Commands the hosts above,
Fulfils the mighty plan
Of his great love

The kingdoms of this world
Lie in its hand;
See how they rise or fall
At its command
Through sorrow and distress,
Tempestuous storms that rage,
God’s kingdom yet endures
From age to age

Its darkness dense is but
A radiant light;
Its oft-perplexing ways
Are ordered right.
Soon all its winding paths
Will end, and then the tale
Of wonder shall be told
Beyond the veil.

David Charles, 1762-1834;
Translated from the Welsh by Edmund Tudor Owen