WSC #11 God's Works of Providence

THE PARTS OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE:
preserving & governing.
• To preserve is to maintain, to protect; to prevent something from breaking down or decaying. In Biblical terms, it is expressed in God's upholding of all things.
• Governing is exercising sovereign authority – it envisions control, regulation, & care.
• These parts of God's providence are not an invention of the catechism writers; (Pss. 36:6; 67:4)
o Scripture speaks of God's preservation in terms of upholding and provision.
• Upholding: Ps. 119:89-91; Col. 1:16,17;Heb. 1:1-3
• Provision: Ps. 145:15-16; Matt. 5:26
o God governs all things as he rules over them and directs them.
• Psalm 66:7; Prov. 16:9
THE SUBJECTS OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE:
all His creatures & all their actions
God's providence is general and specific (or special).
• Heb. 1:3; Ps. 103:19; Jer. 5:22 – providence in general.
• Matt. 10:29-31 – God's special subjects are His children.
God's providence includes the actions of his creatures.
• All natural actions -- Acts 17:28
• All morally good actions -- John 15:5
• All casual or chance actions –1 Kings 22:34
• God's providence even includes morally evil actions or sins -- Acts 2:22-24
How does God's providence control sinful actions? 
Does God cause men to sin? Is God the author of sin?
• God's decree regarding sin is a permissive decree. Acts 14:16; Ps. 76:10 (KJV); Gen. 50:20
THE CHARACTER OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE:
most holy, wise, & powerful
• Most Holy – Psalm 145:17
• Most Wise – Psalm 104:24
• Most Powerful - Daniel 4:35; Psalm 66:7