The Heidelberg Catechism Part II: Deliverance God the Father, Part 2 Lord’s Day 10
Question 27: What do you understand by the providence of God?
Answer 27: The almighty and ever present power of God [1] by which God upholds, as with His hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, [2] and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty [3] – all things, in fact, come to us not by chance [4] but by His fatherly hand. [5]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Jeremiah 23:23-24 NKJV "Am I a God near at hand," says the LORD, "And not a God afar off? (24) Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD.
Acts 17:24-28 NKJV God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. (25) Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. (26) And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, (27) so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; (28) for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'
[2] Hebrews 1:3 NKJV who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
[3] Jeremiah 5:24 NKJV They do not say in their heart, "Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest."
Acts 14:15-17 NKJV and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, (16) who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. (17) Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."
John 9:3 NKJV Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
Proverbs 22:2 NKJV The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the maker of them all.
[4] Proverbs 16:33 NKJV The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
[5] Matthew 10:29 NKJV Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.
Q28: How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?
A28: We can be patient when things go against us, [1] thankful when things go well, [2] 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. [3] For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without His will they can neither move nor be moved. [4]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Job 1:21-22 NKJV And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." (22) In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
James 1:2-3 NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
[2] Deuteronomy 8:10 NKJV When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
[3] Psalms 55:22 NKJV Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Romans 5:3-5 NKJV And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (4) and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, (39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[4] Job 1:12 NKJV And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Job 2:6 NKJV And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life."
Proverbs 21:1 NKJV The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Acts 17:24-28 NKJV God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. (25) Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. (26) And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, (27) so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; (28) for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'
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