Faith In Our Father's Providence
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/13/2013 AM
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Text:
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Isaiah 45;
Lord's Day 10
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Psalters: |
373, 40, 285, 345 |
- Our Father’s sovereign control.
- Faith in the God of providence means that we believe that He exercises absolute control over everything He created.
- He governs everything according to His perfectly wise plan unto the end of His glory and the good of His children.
- He controls the nations (Ps. 2:1-4; 33:10), creation (Ps. 135:7; 147:18; 148:8; Mk 4:41), animals (II Kings 17:25; Dan. 6:22; Mt. 10:29), Satan and evil spirits (Mt. 4:10; II Cor. 12:7,8; Mk 1:27), so Pharaoh is hardened and Assyria is His ax.
- He sends trouble and calamity (Ruth 1:20; I Sam. 1:5; II Sam. 24:1; I Kings 22:20-23; Eccl. 7:14; Isa. 45:6,7; Amos 3:6); even putting to death (Deut. 32:39; I Sam. 2:6,25; II Sam. 12:15).
- God’s sovereign control of all causes all things to move to the end He determined long before (Isaiah 46.10).
- Our faith in God's providence leads us to reject certain errors.
- The proper response to faith in God's providence is a child-like joyful embracing of it (not just tolerating His sovereignty).
- Patient in adversity (Rom. 5:3; James 1:3).
- This means that we consciously focus on Him who brings the cross, submitting to His supreme and perfectly-wise will.
- Patience is the exercise of faith to see the bond/relationship God has with us in love.
- Thankful in when things go well (prosperity).
- So often we pray before a problem, but forget to thank Him after the blessing.
- Gratitude sees that all we are and have, success and prosperity are gifts from our Father in heaven.
- Trusting our faithful Father with the future.
- It helps to face the future unafraid if we know that nothing moves except by the hand of our Father in heaven.
- This is the conviction that our Father is taking the best possible way (no matter what that way may be).
- Obey our gracious Father by loving Him with our all.
- God’s sovereign control of all things (including our sins) does not remove nor change our responsibility.
- Consecrate yourself to Him, with the small as well as with the great matters of our life.