He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17
“God our Maker supports us by His power, rules us by His providence, fosters us by His goodness, and visits us with all kinds of blessings . . . We must be persuaded not only that as He once formed the world, so He sustains it by His boundless power, governs it by His wisdom, preserves it by His goodness, in particular, rules the human race with justice and judgment, bears with them in mercy, shields them by His protection; but also that not a particle of light, or wisdom, or justice, or power, or rectitude, or genuine truth, will anywhere be found, which does not flow from Him, and of which He is not the cause; in this way we must learn to expect and ask all things from Him, and thankfully ascribe to Him whatever we receive.”
John Calvin (1509-1564) in The Institutes of the Christian Religion 1.2.1.
Jenni and I made it safely home from Budapest last night. After three long flights traveling almost half way around the world, my body feels weary, but my mind and heart are moved again to consider God’s providence. I chose to look at John Calvin as I am having breakfast this morning with Sung Wook Chung, who did His doctoral work linked to John Calvin’s writings.
Saints through church history proclaim like a chorus of voices that God created everything, sustains everything, and “fosters us by His goodness.” He is generous by nature, which is why generosity is a fruit of the spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23). No matter what the media tells us about rulers or presidents, God “rules the human race with justice and judgment, bears with [us] in mercy, shields [us] by His protection.” What a great God we serve!
Even as Paul wanted the Colossians to remember that Christ cares for them, we must “learn to expect” that God will care for us, rather than fear or worry when troubles come. I think we show our faith best on such days. Let us not be independent people but ones who depend on God. Remember, we can never exhibit Christian generosity without learning how to receive first! God, help us learn to expect and ask for what we need and thankfully ascribe to You whatever we receive. Amen.