Fridays with the Heidelberg

The providence of God, briefly referred to in the previous question, is now the focus of today’s reading.

Lord's Day 10

Q. 27. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD?

A. The almighty and everywhere present power of God;
whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs
heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought,
fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness,
riches and poverty,
yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.


The Scriptures reveal to us that God not only created the world but He also sustains it. In other words, he has not left us on our own, He “upholds and governs” all of creation.
This is great news for the believer. The providence of God is a doctrine that produces assurance in the life of a believer.

Pointing to this reality, James Montgomery Boice said “the Christian will cease to fret in circumstances and will grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ and of his Father, who has made us and who has planned and accomplished our salvation.”

Let the following hymn by William Cowper assist you to exalt God for his Sovereign and Providential Rule in our lives;

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.