Lord's Day 10 — Tuesday: God's Sovereign Rule
Lord's Day 10: Divine Providence
Tuesday — God's Sovereign Rule
The Catechism
Q27. What do you understand by the providence of God?
The almighty and ever present power of God by which God upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty—all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand.
Q28. How does the knowledge of God's creation and providence help us?
We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from his love. For all creatures are so completely in God's hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved.
Today's Emphasis
God governs all His creatures and all their actions. From the throne of heaven to the sparrow on the branch, nothing escapes His sovereign rule. He directs all things according to His eternal purpose.
Scripture Readings
Psalm 103:19
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Matthew 10:29-30
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Daniel 4:35
He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'
From the Reformers
Zacharias Ursinus (Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 27)
"Providence is the eternal, most free, immutable, wise, just and good counsel of God, according to which he effectually manages all things, both universal and particular, especially those that relate to his Church, for his own glory and the salvation of the elect."
Reflection Questions
• If God numbers the hairs on your head and watches over sparrows, what does this reveal about His attentiveness to your specific situation today?
• How does God's absolute sovereignty over all things bring you comfort rather than fear?
Growing in grace through the Catechism — The Hearthside Team 🔥