Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

LESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 1954VOLUME LIII WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1954 NUMBER 11The Providence of GodA CATECHISM OF BIBLE TEACHINGBy Dr. John A. Braodus1. What is meant by the providence of God?God cares for all his creatures and provides for theirwelfare.2. Does God's providence extend to the wicked ?God gives to the wicked, sunshine and rain and allthe common blessings of life, thereby by callingthem to repentance. Matt. 5:45; Ps. 145:9; Rom. 2:4.3. Does God exercise any special providence overthe righteous ? God makes all things work togetherfor good to them that love him. Rom. 8:28; Ps. 23:1.4. Is God's providence confined to great things ?God notices and provides for even the least things.Luke 12:7.5. Is there really any such thing as chance orluck? There is no such thing as chance or luck ; everything is controlled by the providence of God.6. Does God act according to purposes formedbeforehand? God has always intended to do whatever He does. Eph. 1 :11 ; I Peter 1 :20.7. Does God's purpose destroy our freedom ofaction ? We choose and act freely, and are accountablefor all we do. Josh 24:15; Rom. 14:12.8. Does God cause evil? God permits evil, butdoes not cause it.9. Does God ever check and overrule evil? Godoften prevents evil, and often brings good out ofevil. Gen. 45:5; Ps. 7% :10.10. What is the greatest example of God's bringing good out of evil ? The crucifixion of Christ is thegreatest example of God's bringing good out of evil.11. How ought we to think and feel about theprovidence of God? We ought always to rememberour dependence on God, and to trust His providentialguidance. James 4 :15 ; Jer. 10 :23.12. When God in his providence sends upon ussomething painful, how ought we to feel ? When Godsends on us something painful we ought to be patient,obedient, and thankful. I Sam. 3:18; I Thess. 5:18.Advanced Questions(a) Would it be possible to control great eventswhile disregarding all little things? Great thingsand little things are inseparable and dependent oneach other.(b) If all things take place according to fixedlaws, how can it be that God controls them? Godcreated all the forces of nature, and made them actaccording to fixed laws, and so He controls themwithout violating the laws.(c) Can God then answer prayer by His providential control without violating the laws of nature?Yes, and the Bible assures us that God does answerprayer.(d) What instance can you give of special providence in the story of Joseph? Gen. 37:28; 39:2, 3;21 :23 ; and ch. 45.(e) What example of speedy answer to prayerin the story of Hezekiah ? 2 Kings 20 :l-6.(f) If we cannot explain the relations betweendivine pre-destination and human freedom, does thatwarrant us in rejecting either? Both divine predestination and human freedom must be true fromthe very nature of God and man, and both are plainlytaught in the Bible.The Baptist Record