We just finished a short chapter on Creation and now move into a chapter on Providence. Remembering what we talked about when we discussed God’s decree, we consider the outworking of that decree in terms of two categories: creation and providence. The rest of the Confession is really just an explanation of different facets of God’s providence. This week we come to a general definition of providence.
WCF 5.1 God the great Creator of all things doth uphold,(1) direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things,(2) from the greatest even to the least,(3) by His most wise and holy providence,(4) according to His infallible foreknowledge,(5) and the free and immutable counsel of His own will,(6) to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.(7)
(1) Heb. 1:3.
(2) Dan. 4:34,35; Ps. 135:6; Acts 17:25,26,28; Job 38,39,40,41.
(3) Matt. 10:29,30,31.
(4) Prov. 15:3; Ps. 104:24; Ps. 145:17.
(5) Acts 15:8; Ps. 94:8,9,10,11.
(6) Eph. 1:11; Ps. 33:10,11.
(7) Isa. 63:14; Eph. 3:10; Rom. 9:17; Gen. 45:7, Ps. 145:7.
We notice first of all that the Confession gives a nod to God as Creator even within this section on providence. It is important to remember that these two concepts are linked. God is the Creator-Provider. We do not hold a Deist position of a God who is a Creator but not a Provider. Neither do we hold a Pagan view that God is a tinker in human events but not a sovereign Creator. We hold, simultaneously, that God both created and governs all things.
Secondly, note what is included under the providence of God. He is sovereign over the greatest to the least. He calls the immense hosts of heaven by name and not one of them is missing. At the same time, not a sparrow falls to the ground without his permission. The heart of the king is in the Lord’s hand. At the same time, the number of the hairs on the head of the most impoverished is known by God. He governs everything. As Abraham Kuyper wrote, “In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, ‘That is mine!’”
Thirdly, we see again what we discussed under God’s decree, that God’s providential governing of all things is only dependent on his own sovereign, free, and infallible will. The Confession flatly rejects Open Theism. God is very sure of the future. He has planned it all and executes it as he wishes. He does not have multiple options based on the actions of man. All the actions of man are a part of his single plan. God does not approach his creation in the posture of a chess master waiting to respond to the next move. Rather he is the sovereign executive of all that has or ever will come to pass.
Lastly, we see that providence, like everything else has its terminus in the glory of God. It is a tributary that flows into the immense sea of unending praise and honor to the King of kings. More specifically though, providence tells us something about God’s character. We see in his providential rule his natural attributes (wisdom and power) as well as his moral attributes (justice, goodness, and mercy). To what should the doctrine of providence motivate us? The simple answer is: worship. We worship a God who is sovereignly in control of all things. To deny God his sovereign providence is to deny him of worship rightly due to him from his glorious creation.
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