For our final post in the series, I want to highlight Derek Thomas’ contribution to the Basics of the Reformed Faith Series where he answers the question, “What is Providence?”. He finishes his booklet by addressing ‘redemptive providence’:

There is one final consideration of providence that should occupy us: the One who governs and ensures the good outcome is our Redeemer. The Mediator has achieved redemption for us. He has been glorified because he has finished the work he was given to do (John 17:4-5). He has been exalted because he has been obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8-9). And he exercises his rule in the interests of his people; he is “head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22). All authority is given to him (Matt. 28:18).

Why does our belief in the doctrine of God’s providence matter? Why is this so important? John Piper gives us 10 reasons:

1. The good news of God’s substituting his Son for us on the cross depends on it.

“Truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” (Acts 4:27­–28)

Today we consider the worthiness of God to reign and rule providentially. The following is taken from a sermon given by Jonathan Edwards in June 1735, entitled “The Sole Consideration, That God is God, Sufficient to Still All Objections to His Sovereignty”:

A duty described, to be still before God, and under the dispensations of his providence; which implies that we must be still as to words; not speaking against the sovereign dispensations of Providence, or complaining of them; not darkening counsel by words without knowledge, or justifying ourselves, and speaking great swelling words of vanity. We must be still as to actions and outward behaviour, so as not to oppose God in his dispensations; and as to the inward frame of our hearts, cultivating a calm and quiet submission of soul to the sovereign pleasure of God, whatever it be.

Day Two’s reflections on providence come from a sermon preached by Charles Spurgeon on May 4, 1856:

There is no attribute more comforting to His children, than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials—they believe that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children of God ought more earnestly to contend, than the doctrine of their Master over all creation – the kingship of God over all the works of His own hands – the throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne.

Providence Church is a church plant, which means that exactly one year ago today, we had our very first public Sunday gathering. By the grace of God, we can celebrate with much joy the one year anniversary of Providence Church. We named our church “Providence” because the story of our community coming together is the story of God’s sovereignty and provision. He is in control, He goes before us, and He is at work orchestrating all things for His glory and our good. “Providence” is a name that suits us well.

In honor of our one year anniversary this week, we will be posting daily reflections (well-written words from others) on the theological truth and beauty of God’s providence. To start us off, here is Chapter 5 of the Westminster Confession of Faith: