27. What do you understand by the providence of God?

The almighty, everywhere-present power of God, 1) whereby, as it were by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures, 2) and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, 3) health and sickness, 4) riches and poverty, 5) indeed, all things come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand.

1) Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. Acts 17:25,26.

2) 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb. 1:3.

3) Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Jer. 5:24.

* Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17.

4) Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. John 9:3.

5) The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. Prov. 22:2.

* The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Ps. 103:19.

* And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed. Rom. 5:3-5a.

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