On Chapter 5: Of Providence

Understanding The Westminister Confession of Faith
On Chapter 5: Of Providence

Psalm 145:9 says, “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” This and many other scriptures speak of God’s providence. In the simplest terms, providence refers to His care over all His works.

Literally, the word means foresight or forethought. When it is used of God, it expresses His never ceasing power exerted in and over all His works. It is the opposite of “chance,” “fortune,” and “luck.” The apostle Paul says, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

The method of God’s providence is hard to explain, but the Easton Bible Dictionary says, “We only know that it is a fact that God does govern all his creatures and all their actions; that this government is universal (Ps 103:17-19), particular (see Matt 10:29-31), efficacious (Ps 33:11; Job 23:13), embraces events apparently contingent (Pro 16:9, 33; 19:21; 21:1), is consistent with his own perfection (2 Tim 2:13), and to his own glory (Rom 9:17; 11:36).”

A. R. Fausset, a noted Bible commentator says God’s providential acts have a threefold aspect: it preserves, it co-operates, and it governs. This means He controls all things for the highest good of the whole, acting upon every creature and every thing and event. Hence, God’s providence displays His omnipresence, holiness, justice and benevolence.

The first clause of chapter 5 of the WCF on providence says, “God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold (Heb 1:3), direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things (Ps 135:6) from the greatest even to the least (Matt 10:29-31) by his most wise and holy providence (Ps 104:24), according to his infallible fore-knowledge (Acts 15:18) and the free and immutable counsel of his own will (Ps 33:10-11), to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy (Gen 45:7; Rom 9:17; Eph 3:10).”

The last clause (No. 7) of chapter 5 of the WCF teaches that providence, in general, reaches to and governs all creatures. And so, “after a most special manner, it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.”

Daniel 4:32 says that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” We His children who believe and trust His providence should therefore “fear not” and should be able always to “take courage”. His providential care is so minute as to be concerned about “the very hairs of our head.” Hence, the smallest saint will not be forgotten amongst the countless multitudes.

We should therefore be confidently comforted and apply ourselves only to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that “all things shall be added” to us.

Rev Robert Chew