The Belgic Confession of Faith (15)

Article 13

In our previous topics, we spoke on the subject of creation and the work of the triune God. We have now proceeded to the next article wherein we see the providence of God — how He deals with this creation. The same hand which created this great universe now upholds it. We call that divine providence. The Lord has continued to uphold this creation since the day He created it. All the events in the world are not dependent on the power of weapons or on the number of soldiers, but are dependent on the upholding hand of God. How little acknowledgment there is of the hand of God, of divine providence!

The word providence is not used in Scripture, but there is reference made to the same. Abraham said, “God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Gen. 22:8). The matter of divine providence is often found in the Word of God. The poet also speaks of this: “Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds His chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind” (Psa. 104:3). The prophet Isaiah speaks of providence when he says, “I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isa. 46:4). The apostle speaks of it in Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” Christ Himself testifies of it in Matthew 6:26 when He speaks about the fowls of the air; “they sow not, neither do they reap, ... yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.” That is God’s providence.

Sometimes the words His way refer to the providence of God. When we read “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary” (Psa. 77:13), that is the providential leading in the sanctuary. Also the expressions: His ordinance — “They continue this day according to Thine ordinances: for all are Thy servants” (Psa. 119:91); His hand — “For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:28); His care” — “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7); His working — “This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working” (Isa. 28:29); His reign — “The LORD reigneth, He is clothed with majesty” (Psa. 93:1); and His upholding — “Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). All refer to the providence of God.

Our forefathers stated that God did not forsake the world, nor give them up to fortune or chance. Nothing happens by chance, and yet in Luke 10:31 we read, “And by chance there came down a certain priest that way.” Was it by chance? That is just a human way of speaking. The passing by of that priest and Levite was in God’s decree. In the Dutch Authorized Version, the Statenvertaling, we read that Ruth came by chance on the field of Boaz. And yet, it was the providence of God that led her there. It was the hand of God; it was His care and working. He rules and governs this creation according to His holy will so that nothing happens in this world without His appointment, even to this present day.

Joseph’s brothers put him in a pit and then sold him into Egypt. Later he was cast into prison. In all this the hand of God was ruling. All these things were thought and intended to be evil against him, and yet it was God’s decree which led Joseph in that way. Nevertheless, although their sinful deeds were committed in God’s providence, God is neither the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed.

The general providence of God is over all things. The sun, moon, stars and planets are kept in their course by the providence of God. There is not one flower which buds forth, nor one blade of grass which comes up, without God’s providence.

There is also a special providence over all living beings. All men, also the mighty rulers of this world, are under this special providence.

But there is also a very special providence over the people of God. They are led in God’s way, and for them all things must work together for their good.

When we speak about providence, then we glorify God’s sovereignty. All the happenings in the world are according to His sovereign will. God is not dependent upon what we want and what we do. He is not dependent on our free will or choice. God is not dependent on our activities, although we have to be active and fulfill our task here and use the means which God has given us; but it is God who worketh all things according to His own counsel. Therefore when we speak about the providence of God, we say God is sovereign. He does with the heavens and earth whatsoever pleaseth Him, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?” (Dan. 4:35).

In this providence we also see the almighty power of God. It is He alone who carries the world, the heaven and the earth, and who upholdeth all things by the Word of His power. “Our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased” (Psa. 115:3).

Providence also speaks to us about God’s omnipresence, for it is God who upholds everything. He is everywhere. It also glorifies His wisdom, for who can make everything to continue in order? Who can keep the sun, moon and stars in their place in the universe? Who can create even the smallest animal? Who can give to them the instinct necessary to gather their food in the summer before the winter comes? This is all God’s providence.

The providence of God is also seen in human life. The way wherein He leads His children is often through crosses, in incomprehensible ways; but afterward they may see the wisdom of God. They may say, “All these things are against me,” and yet later on they will see that God led them in these ways by His wisdom.

The way wherein He leads His children is often through crosses, in incomprehensible ways; but afterward they may see the wisdom of God.

God’s providence is also manifested by His goodness. It is He who feedeth the young ravens, the cattle and all the fowls of the air.

The justice of God is also seen in His providence. Sometimes it seems that the Lord leaves everything over to itself, but the poet says, “Come and see the works of God: He is terrible in His doing toward the children of men” (Psa. 66:5). But this providence is a delight for His children, “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psa. 139:17).

When we speak about providence, it can be distinguished in three ways: His preservation, His cooperation, and His government. The preservation of God is the power by which He upholds all things in their existence until the time determined by Him. It is the Lord who gives us the strength to live and to walk. This preservation is usually mediate, that is by God-given means, as Israel was preserved in the wilderness with manna; but sometimes it is immediate, as we see in the life of Moses when on the mount, and also of Elijah.

There is also God’s cooperation, which is His almighty power which cooperates in every action of His creatures. He not only upholds life, but He also gives the will and the strength to perform certain actions. Without this cooperation, we cannot even lift up our finger, speak one word, or take one step.

He also governs all things. It is His almighty power by which He directs all these things to a certain end determined by Him. All these things must happen according to His wise counsel and for a certain purpose. That purpose is His glory, but also the salvation of His dear children.

What is now the practical application of this doctrine? First of all, we must say that there are many things which we cannot understand. There are many riddles in this world and maybe also in your life, so that you say, “Oh Lord, why this?” Then we must also remember the word which the Lord has said, “Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked?” (Eccl. 7:13). Are there people who have crooks in their path and say, “Lord, all these things are against me”? The Lord also says in the same chapter, “Be not righteous over much;... neither be thou foolish” (Eccl. 7:16-17). Do not be wiser than God, and try to sit on His throne. Do not rebel against God. There are many ways and workings of God which seem to be in conflict with our expectations because we do not understand them. Our fathers do not say that we can understand and comprehend God’s providence, but they say that with the greatest humility and reverence we can adore the righteous judgments of God. We may search God’s dealings and inquire into the intention of them, but if it is beyond our understanding, then we must with humility adore it and be content to know only those things which have been revealed to us.

The providence of God also speaks to us of unspeakable comfort. Nothing can befall us by chance and all that which happens in the life of a child of God happens by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father who watches over us with a paternal care. He keeps all creatures under His power so that not a sparrow can fall to the ground “without the will of our Father, in whom we entirely trust.” What do we have of that trust in God? What do we believe of His government? Do we believe that He knows best? How many times are God’s children also telling the Lord what direction He should take? When He goes a different way than we expect, hope, desire, or think is best, then how many times don’t we fight or disagree or rebel against the wisdom of that fatherly care? And friends, where does that come from? Well, it comes from ignorance. We don’t see what the Lord is doing and so often look at the second cause — what people do — and not at the first cause — God’s leading. It also comes from a desire to be a god ourself. We want to rule and reign and to be on the throne. Oh, what a great blessing it is to be submissive in adversity! God’s people know of a time in their life when they were clay in the hands of God. Then they could say with Eli, “It is the LORD: let Him do what seemeth Him good” (1 Sam. 3:18). There was a time that, if the Lord would send them to hell, then it was just and right. Then their hand was on their mouth and they said, “God is God, and I am but dust and ashes.”

There is a precious source of consolation in the providence of God if we view it in the right perspective. Whatsoever may happen with the living Church of God always goes in the right way. The way of the visible church may go entirely wrong, but all goes well with the living Church. Many things can go wrong with the nation, or with your health or business, and everything can fall away, but the way of the Lord is never wrong. He never makes a mistake.

We must also be thankful in prosperity, trusting in Him and be confident for the future. The consequence of really believing what we read here must be to know that everything is under the direction of a most gracious, heavenly Father. There are so many times when we say, “Why this trial?” But at that moment we do not believe that the Lord has everything ordered according to His divine wisdom. We say it with our mouth, but the problem is that we have tried to climb on the throne of God in Paradise, and deep inside of our heart we are lords and kings, and want to be as God. As long as the Lord does what I want, then I agree, but as soon as He goes against my desires or expectations, then the war starts again, also in the hearts of God’s people. How necessary it is to be conquered, to be taught to bow under God, and to let God be God. Oh, if they are on their right place, they say, “Lord, I could not have imagined or expected or desired a better way, for this is ultimate, final wisdom.”

Therefore what a comfort that the Lord rules, and not the devil or any other creature. All those dealings will work together for the good of His people.

Therefore we reject any other doctrine like that of the Epicureans who say that God regards nothing but leaves everything to chance, to a blind fate. You just have to take it as it comes. The Deists regard creation as the work of God; but then the people were equipped by God with certain gifts and He just watches the people choose what to do. Then God would not be independent. He would have to wait and see what we would do with His equipment. We see the pride of man in the opinion of Pelagius, the Remonstrants and the religion of free will, for they teach a God who is dependent on our choice and acceptance and faith. But even in the heart of God’s people we see the proud old nature, and many times there is that deep struggle in their life to submit and bow under God’s will. It is a great privilege, it is grace alone, if also in grievous circumstances we may still bow under God and let Him do with us what pleases Him. If He may reign and He may be God in your life, that is a beginning of heaven. Oh, for there God will be God forever. All those who may come at the end of their journey there will say with Joseph in Genesis 50:20, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.” What a comfort there is in this providence! What a wisdom and faithfulness in His ways, for which He will receive all the honor and they then will worship and praise Him!

Rev. C. Vogelaar is pastor of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

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