God’s providence is meticulously detailed. Puritan Ezekiel Hopkins once wrote, “Not one particle of dust moves on a well-travelled road, but God raises it, directs its motion, and directs it to the specific place he appointed for it. The strongest wind cannot move it from its appointed place.” Even better, Jesus states our Father’s meticulous providence like this: “Not [a sparrow] will fall to the ground apart from your Father” (Matt 10:29).
Knowing God’s providence is meticulously detailed is one thing. But God is God. Of course, He does what he pleases. What does God’s providence have to do with me? What benefit does the providence of God afford me in everyday life?
1. Patience
Knowing that God’s providence is meticulously detailed gives me patience. In my trial, I can have patience that every detail of the bad circumstance I am facing has been ordained by God.
2. Thankfulness
Knowing that God’s providence is meticulously detailed gives me thankfulness. In my prosperity, I can be thankful that every detail of the good circumstances I am facing has been ordained by God.
3. Trust
If in my trial I can have patience, and if in my prosperity I can have thankfulness, then in all circumstances I find myself in, whether good or bad, I can trust my Heavenly Father because his providence is meticulously detailed.
Christians in the past recognized God’s providence as providing us with these three benefits. The Heidelberg Catechism asks what benefit it is to know that God is meticulously detailed in his providence of all things. The answer is beautiful:
That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from his love; since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move.
As you walk through your day—with an unexpected call, a traffic jam, a late appointment, an upset spouse, a well-deserved raise, an accepted house offer, a miserable cold, and a million other things—today you can have patience in your bad moments, thankfulness in your good moments, and trust in God in all circumstances because his providence is meticulously detailed.
Pastor Dan
Listen to this sermon “Redemption by His Glorious Grace” for even more reasons to trust God in all circumstances.