The Providence of God, Part 2

God’s Providence Defined

• “The providence of God is seen in His purposeful and pervasive sovereignty” (Piper)
• “The providence of God is the almighty, everywhere-present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth with all creature, and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed all things come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand.” (Heidelberg Catechism, 1563)
• “God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.” (Westminster Confession of Faith, 1646)

God’s Providence Displayed

• God’s providence in His Name (Genesis 22:14)
• God’s providence over creation (Psalm 104, 139:13-16; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 1:3)
• God’s providence over history, including kings and nations (Isaiah 46:8-10, 40:15-24; Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:20-23)
• God’s providence over Satan and demons (Job 1-2; Romans 16:20; Revelation 20:7-10)
• God’s providence over good and evil (Genesis 50:15-21; Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13)
• God’s providence over life and death (Psalm 100:3; Colossians 1:16; Job 1:21; James 4:13-16; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Revelation 1:17-18, 21:1-5)
• God’s providence over salvation (Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)