Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. Psalm 29:2
“Not a single thing that has been made, or that will be made, escapes the knowledge of God. Rather, through His providence, every single thing has obtained its nature, rank, number, and special quantity. Nothing whatever has been produced (or is produced) in vain or by accident. Instead, everything has been made with precise suitability and through the exercise of transcendent knowledge.”
Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-202) was born in Smyrna where he would have been influenced spiritually by Polycarp. Remember, Polycarp was discipled by John who was discipled by Jesus. As the gospel spread through the Roman Empire into Europe, Irenaeus took what he learned and served as bishop of the Christian church in Lyons (now Lyon), France.
In reading the early church fathers, a strong belief in the providence of God comes into view as foundational in their thinking. Here Irenaeus credits the Lord for all of creation. Nothing appeared by accident. He had formed everything with precise suitability and sustains everything through His providence.
“Providence” is the word I have chosen to think about this next year in my personal spiritual journey. Questions like these will guide my thinking: How did Christians in the early church or through church history understand God’s providence? How will a growing understanding of God’s providence shape my living, giving, serving, and loving this next year?
From what I gather so far, providence is a deep-rooted belief that God sustains everything. Those who grasp this will more readily obey Him and trust in His faithful provision. This takes my mind back to Psalm 29. When we ascribe to the Lord all glory, we discover that His voice, His authority, is over everything. In turn, He gives us what we need for life and living: strength and peace. What a generous God we serve!